Daily Devotions
Genesis
"But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord, in the acceptable time; O God, in the multitude of Your mercy, Hear me in the truth of Your salvation." Psalm 69:13
Text: Genesis 25:1-34
A PROMISING START
It almost seemed as if history was about to repeat itself in Isaac’s life. There was no issue. Would Isaac take a concubine to produce an heir? No, he would not! He would seek the Lord in fervent prayer!
“This is the genealogy of Isaac, Abraham’s son. Abraham begot
Isaac. Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah as wife,
the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padan Aram, the sister
of Laban the Syrian. Now Isaac pleaded with the Lord for his wife
because she was barren; and the Lord granted his plea, and
Rebekah his wife conceived.”GENESIS 25:19-21
“Isaac pleaded with the Lord…”
An excellent start! Isaac differed from his father significantly in this respect! He had learned, first hand, the pain that having a concubine could bring! That was the last thing he wanted to experience again! Surely the better alternative was to seek the Lord in prayer! Did he not hear and answer many prayers before? Was not Rebekah a special answer to prayer? The best course of action was to seek the Lord in prayer! He was the head of the family. He was the master of his clan! He must set a good example for all!
“And the Lord granted his plea…”
The Lord must have been pleased that Isaac sought him over the problem of Rebekah’s barrenness. Graciously, He granted Isaac’s request and in time, Rebekah conceived!
A DIFFICULT PREGNANCY
Having a request granted did not solve all problems! Rebekah did not have an easy pregnancy. At one stage she was having such a hard time, she was driven to the Lord in prayer.
“But the children struggled together within her; and she said,
‘If all is well, why am I like this?’ So she went to inquire
of the Lord.”GENESIS 25:22
Another good indication! Isaac was not the only one who sought the Lord in faith and in prayer. Rebekah also had a personal relationship with God! What should she do about the discomfort and distress she felt as she struggled with her pregnancy?
There must have been people who told her “All is well”. After all, had she not conceived because of a prayer that was uttered on her behalf? What could go wrong? Rebekah however was not impressed with such trite answers!
Her approach is to be commended! The Lord was near at hand! He heard the prayer of Isaac! He would also hear her prayers, would He not? With fervent faith she sought the Lord in ardent prayer.