Preparing to Meet JesusSample

Joy in the Journey

As he waited at the well after his long journey, the father’s servant prayed with great humility and expectancy. Before he had even finished praying, God answered. A beautiful young woman caught his eye: Rebekah. You can read more of how God answered the servant’s—and Abraham’s—prayers in Genesis 24.

The servant went to Rebekah’s house for dinner and told her family all about Abraham and his son. Everyone who had gathered around to listen was convinced that Rebekah was God’s choice of a bride for Isaac.

As Rebekah learned more and more about Isaac, she must have fallen in love with him. She told the servant that she would go with him to marry Isaac (Genesis 24:58). The servant then had to take Rebekah back over the difficult and dangerous journey to Canaan. It was his responsibility to deliver her safely to Isaac. It was Rebekah’s responsibility to live out her commitment to be Isaac’s bride.

As monotonous as the desert view likely was, the mounting anticipation must have been almost palpable. Rebekah likely began to look for Isaac when she knew her journey was coming to an end. Then, after months of travel, a movement caught her attention. It was Isaac.

Rebekah hastily slipped off the camel. Then to make sure, she asked the servant, “Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?” Her hope was confirmed when he answered, “He is my master” (Genesis 24:65).

As my (Anne’s) own journey draws to an end, my expectation of seeing Jesus is intensifying. I long to see the expression on His face when He sees me. I long to hear the sound of His voice speaking my name. And I long to feel His touch. My anticipation of being physically in His presence at times is almost a tangible ache.

In light of Rachel-Ruth’s heart issues, she also would say with me: Even though we have yet to see Him visibly, we already love Him! We believe in Him. And we are filled with inexpressible and glorious joy at the very thought of Him (1 Peter 1:8).

How good God is to give us hope for the future because we are already in a love relationship with His Son. Even if we now feel we are journeying across a desert, we are on the tiptoe of expectancy that at the End, our Bridegroom will welcome us into the home He has prepared. (John 14:2-3)

How should expecting to see Jesus face to face alter the way we speak? How we act? Where we go? Who we are? What difference has that expectation made in your life?