If you don’t pay attention while reading this story, you might think you are reading Genesis 12
There is a famine – just like (Abraham’s) time
History repeats itself – Solomon says it in the Bible- that there is nothing new under the sun
No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man
History can either be a good teacher or a painful lesson
Isaac is on his way to do exactly what his father Abraham had done – using human wisdom
Ismael
Praise the Lord – God stops Him!!
Genesis 26:2
The Lord appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; stay in the land of which I will tell you.”
Stay where I WILL tell you
Genesis 26:3-4
I WILL bless you, I WILL favor you, I WILL give you land, I WILL give your descendant land, I WILL establish and carry the oath I swore to your father, I WILL make your descendant multiply, I WILL bless the rest of the world through you
Why – Not because you did well, not because you paused to listen to me, you are well spoken, you have enough followers on IG – Christian channel, not because you can preach well, teach well
But because your father Abraham;
Genesis 26:5
Listened to, obeyed my voice, and consistently kept my charge, My commandments, My statutes and my Laws
Abraham obeyed all my requirements, commands, decrees and instructions (NLT)
What an investment Abraham made in heaven! Despite the failures of mankind, the Lord remembered Abraham’s heart of obedience, and the blessings of that obedience would extend to generations that came after him -including us.
Galatians 3:29
And if you belong to Christ [if you are in Him], then you are Abraham’s descendants, and [spiritual] heirs according to [God’s] promise. (AMP)
Hebrews 11:8
By faith Abraham, when he was called [by God], obeyed by going to a place which he was to receive as an inheritance; and he went, not knowing where he was going. (AMP)
James 2:23
And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.
In our lives we are busy making investment that benefits us –in retirement – good
But we miss the fact that we need to invest in spiritual things that will bear benefit not just for us today and I but for generations to come
What kind of spiritual investments are you depositing today – is it good for a few hours, daily bread or good till your life is over or will it outlive you?
Do you study the word of God just enough for today? How is your prayer life?
Back to our text
Isaac has a choice to make – do I or do I not continue with my journey
On one side there is draught, run (Severe draught) or the other is going through it with God
I know it sounds very simple – but folks, how many times has God directed us to something only to choose the opposite
They should have run the ball – Seahawks (Obvious) – But our desires
And this right here sums it all: vs 6 – So Isaac stayed in Gerar
I love this because it’s a true representation of my favorite verse:
Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you (Nkjv)
You saw how many ‘I will”, God said vs the one “I will” stay, that Isaac said
Ladies and Gentlemen, before God asks you to invest in His Kingdom, He has already shown you how
For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son – John 3:16 (NKJV)
That while you were sinner – He still love you! – Romans 5:8 (NKJV)
Father, take away this cup but let your will be done!- Luke 22:42 (NKJV)
Obedience – Not the kind that comes with filters/adjectives – but one that comes with total surrender
Let us invest in Obedience
World obedience – complying with rules, laws, commands, or the directions of an authority figure – unfortunately these keeps changing
Biblical obedience is the active, wholehearted submission to God’s authority, rooted in listening to His Word and responding with trust, love, and action. Rather than mere legalistic rule-following, it reflects a personal relationship with God and a desire to align one’s life with His will
St. Augustine (AD 354–430) -He explained that God’s command to Adam and Eve concerned more than the fruit. The central issue was whether humanity would submit to its Creator or prefer its own will.
Andrew Murray (1828–1917) -The secret of true obedience … is the clear and close personal relationship to God.”
Fruits of Obedience
Protection
Vs 7 – Isaac lies about his wife for the fear of being killed
That even in our foolishness – God still looks at us with mercy and He rescues us
Genesis 26:11
So Abimelech charged all his people, saying, “He who touches this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.” (Nkjv)
This will be seen come to play, when there is jealousy and strive – but this right here protects his life – they choose to mess with the wells and not to touch him
Don’t be stupid – don’t test God. But we can all attest that God has used our foolishness many times to rescue us
Romans 8:28
Praise God, that He works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Nkjv)
Provision
Because Abraham obeyed, his son Isaac was blessed
Genesis 26:13
And the man [Isaac] became great and gained more and more until he became very wealthy and extremely distinguished (AMP)
Our culture demands for us to 10X, take cold showers/ice bath, be part of the 5am club, use chatgpt, grok, claude to create businesses that work while we are still sleeping – these are good – but we neglect the spiritual investments – Obedience to what God is asking us to do
What if we could join the 6am prayer line, Monday night prayer, Prayer before service, daily prayer and reading plans, Bible studies, studying the word of God daily
Jeremiah 29:13
Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. (AMP)
Matthew 7:7
Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. (AMP)
Work hard and please provide for your family and your retirement- but start with obedience
Peace
Genesis 26:16
Then Abimelech said to Isaac, “Go away from here, because you are far too powerful for us (AMP)
Isaac does not fight back – he just ups and goes
Even when the Philistines attacks his main source of life – water
He keeps on digging and moving
Naming the places so that he can remember what God has done and continues to do
I believe that these words kept Isaac from fighting back
Genesis 26:3
Live temporarily [as a resident] in this land and I will be with you and will bless and favor you, for I will give all these lands to you and to your descendants, and I will establish and carry out the oath which I swore to Abraham your father. (AMP)
These words gave him peace – Because he obeyed, he had peace
If you lack peace in any area of your life, I challenge you to go back to your path of obedience
Reverence
Genesis 26:24
So Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of the Lord [in prayer]. He pitched his tent there; and there Isaac’s servants dug a well. (AMP)
This is the first recording of Isaac building an altar unto the Lord
Isaac has a moment of revelation – he builds an altar and called on the name of the Lord i.e. – He prayed!
God does not change – He didn’t change when Isaac was running from the drought, and He was the same God when he has overcome so much and was prospering
Obedience allowed him to see God for who He was truly is! – Not just his fathers God
No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man
Two things are true as we go through this life: a.k.a River
You are obedient to God and you have changed
You have not been obedient to God, and you have changed- to what? – don’t fool yourself that you are still the same
Are you going to run away from the draught, alone without God or are you going to stay in the draught with God?
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