My husband Kenya and our two sons, Kedar and Kaleb, set up a brand new ten-gallon fish tank last evening because we’re getting some new fish soon. Woo-hoo! We love fish.

We already have a pet betta, Skittles, whose doing great. You may remember me telling you last month that Skittles contracted an infection, and we treated him with fish antibiotics. I’m happy to say the treatment worked, and he’s back to his old, busy, hungry, playful self.

So anyway, setting up the fish tank and letting it run is a must-do before introducing a new fish into a tank. The water needs time to build up bacteria which is necessary for the fish’s survival. Also, the pH, hardness, alkalinity, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels have to be right. That’s why holding off on the fish for a few weeks—sometimes a month or more—while cycling the tank is crucial. If someone tries to put new fish into water that hasn’t been properly prepped, the fish won’t be able to survive.

I find this preparation phase to be quite fascinating because it reminds me of a general principle that applies to more than just fish. In life, sometimes, transitioning into new places and territories has to be delayed, not because you aren’t ready, but because the environment is not ready for you yet. God has to get things in order and set the right atmosphere before you can occupy the space or receive the blessing He has ordained for you.

In Genesis 24, we see that God had to create the right environment to bless His servant Isaac with a wife. You see, before Isaac’s father Abraham died, Abraham told his servant to get a spouse for his son from among Abraham’s kinfolk, and avoid choosing from among the Canaanite women. When the servant expressed his concern that a woman might be unwilling to agree to be Isaac’s wife, Abraham assured him that an angel would go before the servant and set things in order (v. 7).

Sure enough, when the servant arrived in the town of Nahor and prayed for a sign from heaven to help him select the right woman, before he even finished praying, God answered (v. 15). A beautiful virgin named Rebekah emerged on the scene, and she was willing to go with the servant to marry Isaac.

This moment was so important, because it set the stage for God’s will to be done. Rebekah was the woman who would give birth to twin brothers Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25:19-34), and Jacob would eventually become Israel (Genesis 32:22-32), and out of his loins would come the children of Israel, God’s chosen people.

Had the angel not gone before the servant and set the right atmosphere, Rebekah’s heart would not have been prepared to say yes to what was ultimately a divine calling. But God’s intervention set the stage and made it all possible.

Friend, this should encourage you to trust God even more! When His hand is on your life, He will see to it that His will is fulfilled. He will go before you and set you up to receive what He has for you. God will change hearts and minds, make environments favorable to your cause, and move your mission—which is His mission—forward. You have no need to worry!

This is why I love the word of God. It reminds us that God’s hand, though invisible to us, is always working to accomplish His plan. In Genesis 24:12, there is a portion of a prayer the servant prayed as he was on a mission to obey his master Abraham. He said to God, “Make me successful today,” and God did that. When you are in God’s will, you can ask Him to do the same thing, and expect Him to show up on the scene.

Consider this servant for a moment. When Abraham sent him on this divinely-inspired mission, although he knew what he was sent to do, the servant didn’t know how to get it done. He went to unfamiliar territory among unfamiliar faces to initiate an unfamiliar process. Yet God, who is never unfamiliar or in suspense, brought the blessing to the servant and made him successful, just as he asked.

God will make you successful as well! If there is something you have been concerned about, because you don’t know what to do or you are uncertain about how things will turn out, God is sending this word to tell you to relax and trust Him. As long as you are an obedient servant, He will cause blessings to come to you.

To remind you of this truth, I’m stirring Proverbs 16:3 GWT into your cup of inspiration, which says, “Entrust your efforts to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.”

As you drink down the contents of your cup, place all your plans and concerns in God’s hands, and expect Him to make you successful for the glory of His name!

Now, let’s pray.

God, there are circumstances and issues I’m dealing with that I don’t know how to resolve on my own. There are answers I need that I don’t have. But I am trusting in You, my sovereign savior. Thank You in advance for intervening and showing me favor, and causing me to be successful in the things you have called me to. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you desire prayer, please allow me, along with my intercessory prayer team, to stand in faith with you for breakthrough. We would be so honored. We have seen God work over and over again. There is power in agreement. Click here to request prayer now.

As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!