A Servant Spirit

“O Lord, God of my master, Abraham,” [Eliezer] prayed. “Please give me success today, and show unfailing love to my master, Abraham. See, I am standing here beside this spring, and the young women of the town are coming out to draw water. This is my request. I will ask one of them, ‘Please give me a drink from your jug.’ If she says, ‘Yes, have a drink, and I will water your camels, too!’—let her be the one you have selected as Isaac’s wife. This is how I will know that you have shown unfailing love to my master.”

─ Genesis 24:12-14 NLT

When you think about the romantic story of Isaac and Rebekah’s arranged marriage and love story, you probably think about Abraham’s desire to obey God regarding who his son was to marry, or how Rebekah went with Abraham’s servant willingly to a land she’d never seen, but the deepest life application comes from a true servant, an example set by Eliezer.

Eliezer, the chief servant of Abraham’s household, was responsible for all Abraham had. Had Abraham died without an heir, Eliezer would have inherited everything. [At one point, Abraham actually believed that would happen, and he questioned God about it (Genesis 15:2)]. Abraham had set an example of faith, and Eliezer had learned much in his time serving Abraham as he served God.

In our verse today, Eliezer asked God for guidance in carrying out Abraham’s request to find a wife for his son, Isaac. He asked the Lord to have the right woman for his master’s son to offer to water his camels, when he asked for a drink of water. His request was a little out of the ordinary. While it was customary for a woman to draw water from her well and offer it to a traveler, it was not customary for one to also offer to water the camels. Eliezer was looking for a sign of inner beauty and a servant spirit. She went above what was asked of her.

Eliezer embraced his responsibility with single focus and careful planning, all the while, depending on God for the outcome. And as soon as he knew God had answered his prayer, he offered praise to God.

Today’s One Thing

Read the story of Eliezer in Genesis 24. Pay careful attention to his actions:

• Accepted his assignment (v. 3, 9)
• Considered other alternatives (v. 5)
• Committed to the master’s instructions (v. 9)
• Made a plan and presented it to God (v. 12-14)
• Asked for guidance (v. 12-14)
• Remained flexible, allowed room for God to work (v. 12-14)
• Watched and waited (v. 21)
• Received God’s answer with thanks (v. 26)
• Refused delay (v. 56)
• Completed the plan (v. 66)

Ask God what adjustments He would have you make to operate with a servant spirit He desires you to have.

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