Let’s Do It.
For the last two weeks, we looked at the life of Isaac and when unexpected things happen, and what to do.
Isaac wanted to run back to Egypt as soon as the famine started. But, of course, we all do that when things get complicated. We love our comfort and places of little conflict. But unfortunately, life does not play favorites, and life is not predictable. We don’t know what will happen to whom. We can be totally fine today; tomorrow, we are in a very different situation.
God would not allow Issac to run away. So Isaac had to stay in the place of famine.
Gen. 26:6 So Isaac dwelt in Gerar.
How do we feel when God does not want to permit us to run. What if things get really hard in America. The Church is not prepared to face hardship because the message has been that God will take us out before it gets too bad. Is that what scripture teaches? A pastor told me once that God did not appoint us unto wrath – 1 Thess 5:9. That is true when we talk about salvation, but this scripture does not refer to us having to face hard times.
In scripture, we see the opposite. Jesus said that we would be persecuted. James says:
James 1:2-3 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
Paul writes to Timothy:
2 Tim. 3:10-12 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all, the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
And to the Church in Rome: (He wrote it because it happened to the Christians)
Rom. 8:35-37 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
God says STAY!
What did Isaac do while the famine was going on?
Gen. 26:12-13 Then Isaac sowed in that land (Famine) and reaped in the same year a hundredfold, and the LORD blessed him. So the man began to prosper and continued prospering until he became very prosperous.
Isaac did not do “nothing.” He did not stay home and waited for things to change in his favor. Instead, HE acted against the norm. Can you imagine what the other people were thinking? He must have looked like he was out of his mind. When you have a famine of friendships, start sowing friendships to others. When you have a famine of family, start sowing being family to those who are not a family. When you experience a famine in finances, start sowing finances to places of need. In the time of famine, you sow!
All Isaac had was God’s Word and God’s presence. You have that as well for your family or your business. God blessed Isaac despite the natural circumstances. The truth is that your natural circumstances do not determine your blessing. God determines that.
What can you do when you are in a Famine?
- Trust God – don’t trust your resources. God will supply your need. He knows what we need even before we ask – Matt 6:23-33.
- Talk with somebody – don’t isolate yourself. The enemy loves people in isolation because he is an expert in getting you to doubt or get into unbelief.
- Fight fear and anxiety – fear is not always bad. There are things we need to be afraid of, like things that can bite and kill you. Fear that makes you feel powerless and messes with your mind is unhealthy. The Spirit God gives us does not do that. His Spirit gives us hope and faith to face any situation.
- Find things to be thankful for – there are so many ways that God blesses us, and when we realize that thankfulness is the antidote against narcissism and teaches us to be content, we will focus on a solution, not just our lack or the problem.
- Don’t give up – everything has a time and a season. Every problem has a solution and an end. Darkness carries an expiration date. Like the Psalmist said: ‘There might be pain in the night, but joy comes in the morning.”
I don’t know your situation. But, I know God can and that famine is just a place where He shows up and shows off. So, how will you respond today?
Will you stay long enough to see how He will bless you despite everything against you right now?
