If It Is Thus

 “…and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah… to be his wife. And Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was barren. And the Lord granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived. The children struggled together within her, and she said, “If it is thus, why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said to her,

“Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.”” Genesis 25:20-23

(Isaac &) Rebekah likely walked through 20 years of barrenness. God answered Isaac’s prayer for his wife with twins when he was 60! I can only imagine the fears she faced as her pregnancy seemed so very different from her peers experiences. She went to the Lord with her questions and fears. And He answered her! He revealed to her what no ultrasound ever could! There are two babies AND He had a purpose & plan for them even as they would go on to struggle & be two peoples divided. The older would serve the younger. 

I love that Rebekah asked, “If it is thus, why is this happening to me?” and His answer was soothing to her fears and enlightening that it wasn’t that it was happening to her. It was happening according to His plan.

I imagine this is a similar question we ask about the mysterious things in our lives: chronic illness, family conflict, addiction, unwanted SSA, loss of a job, trauma, loneliness, friends and/or family leaving the faith, cancer, abuse, gender dysphoria, disappointment and/or __________ (fill in the blank)…

TRY this if you’re asking “if it is thus..” right now in your life: 

Ask the Lord for help. Show Him your hurt.

Be prepared for a possible yes, no or not yet answer.   

Choose to trust Him with the unknown(s). 

Deepen your daily routine of walking with Him. 

Rinse and repeat.