I know, this seems like something that I have studied and written on over and over again. I do agree that the LORD provides just what and when we need. And yes, all we need do is ask from our heart. But, do we obey when He challenges us to do so?
“1Now there was a famine in the land, besides the former famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Gerar to Abimelech king of the Philistines. 2And the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you.’” – Genesis 26:1-2 (ESV)
I look here this morning and see a couple of things going on. One, there is a famine and it is natural to look for ways of surviving. Two, Isaac does just that by working to make his way out of the famine area to one of more prosperous times. When looking at it all, it would be natural to make way to Egypt, an area where the Nile provides plenty of water for to survive, not just for the one or two, but for great numbers of people.
Isaac would be working to survive with his family and clan. So making way to Egypt would make complete and total sense. But God. He said no, stay where you are and I will make you prosperous and bigger than you can imagine as He promised Abraham.
“’3Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you, for to you and to your offspring I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father. 4I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, 5because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.’” – Genesis 26:3-5 (ESV)
And so Isaac stopped his migration and settled where he was. And he dug wells and found water. Not just enough to survive, but to prosper. So much so, He became the premier family and clan in the area and was asked to leave. And he did, and settled in another area not far, dug wells and found more water in an area that needed it.
All of this prosperity was not of Isaac or luck, it was of God. Isaac was well aware of the generosity of the LORD. Here we find Isaac in an area of need. The LORD provided what and when he needed it. And even in this area of famine, the LORD’s provision was so great and continually giving. Everywhere that Isaac dug a well the water was found. And thanks solely to the LORD, Isaac was granted prosperity.
I have to remember that the LORD provides what and when I need. And to go along with that, He provided even when things seem impossible. Nothing is too big for God to do. When things seem the darkest it is my obedience to Him that sustains me. I obey and am rewarded.
What is your approach when things are the darkest? Are you looking to make things happen on your own? What if, even in those times that seem impossible, you were to obey the LORD and allow Him to provide?
Trevor's Thoughts 