Knowing the will of God is something I’ve wrestled with over the years, especially after becoming a single mom. I mean, it’s scary thinking I might get it wrong. My choices don’t just affect me; they affect my children as well. It’s not always easy when the buck stops with you.

So when I come across a story in the Bible about one of God’s children finding and following the will of God, I like to dig into it and learn all I can. One of my favorites is the story of Abraham’s servant and his quest for a wife for Isaac. (Speaking of making decisions that affect others!) 🙂

We don’t even know this man’s name, but we can learn some wonderful lessons about finding God’s will from his story. In Genesis 24, Abraham commissions his servant to return to the land where Abraham was born and find a wife for his son, Isaac. This was a monumental task—one which would have far-reaching effects upon the generations to come.

Abraham’s servant didn’t take his mission lightly. As the story unfolds, he does three things that are a great pattern of how we too can find the will of God when making big (or small!) decisions.

First, he prayed for wisdom and success. He was very specific in his prayer.

In Genesis 24:12, the servant prayed for God to send him “good speed” and show kindness to his master Abraham. In other words, he prayed for his mission to be successful. And then he adds a very interesting request. In verse 13, we learn that he is standing beside a well of water outside a city in Abraham’s country of birth. In verse 14, the servant prays that God would show him a specific sign regarding Isaac’s future wife.

He prayed that if he asked a young woman for a drink, and she gave him one and then offered to water his camels (no small task!), that she would be the one.

God honored that request, and it all happened exactly as the servant had prayed. Wow! How amazing! I fear we as Christians hesitate to be specific in our prayers because we’re afraid God won’t answer. But we are instructed in James 1:5-7, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.”

Second, after the servant prayed, he moved forward. God led him as he was going. He didn’t just sit there, waiting.

It has been said that you can’t steer a parked car. The same thing applies to our lives as Christians. Why do we expect God to direct us concerning “big” decisions, when we aren’t following what He’s already revealed—things like reading His Word, praying, witnessing, and attending church? To know God’s specific will, we need to be following His revealed will faithfully.

Third, after God answered, the servant enthusiastically worshiped with a grateful heart. He praised God for guiding him.

We read of the servant’s own private praise and worship service in Genesis 24:26-27. Immediately after God answered him, he dropped everything to give glory to God, right there beside the well. “And the man bowed down his head, and worshiped the Lord. And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master’s brethren.”

I’ve had many opportunities to follow this pattern in the past few years, the most recent being the selling of my daycare. I prayed specific prayers, then stepped forward in faith. (I will admit it was with a bit of fear and trembling!) God honored and answered my requests, even down to little details like answering my prayer for the type of “daycare mama” I wanted to take my place! 🙂

What about you? Has God led you in a specific way? Feel free to share with us in the comments!

In closing, I’d like to leave you with a verse containing a promise I’ve claimed for many years.

“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” {Psalm 32:8}

My friend, God WANTS you to know His will. If you seek Him, He will show you!

(Would you like to read more about finding the will of God? Click here to read “Five Guiding Lights to Know the Will of God.”)