DELAY IS NOT DENIAL
Read Genesis 26:1-6
26:1 And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar.
26:2 And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:
26:3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;
26:4 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
26:5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
26:6 And Isaac dwelt in Gerar:
COMMENTS
There have been challenges right from the time Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden, and so, every man or woman that lives here must pass through difficult times. The question is, what do you do in your own time of challenges, when it seems you are alone in this world, or when God seems to say, ‘Hold on for so long’? Do you wait for what the Lord God will say to you? Do you trust His Word when it comes to you? Note: God’s voice is soothing and encouraging, no matter how it comes. ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope’ (Jer. 29:11).
Sometimes, believers’ breakthroughs are hidden in troubled times and places. You may have to experience a little setback or shaking before being lifted to greater heights. How do you see the “I will bless you,” “I will be with you,” “I will not leave you comfortless,” “I will make a way for you”? Instead of using the world’s yardstick to judge your circumstances, why not use God’s compass to find your way, as He knows better, and wants the best for you. Are we learning any lesson from Elimelech’s hurriedness to get out of the challenges that had duration (Ruth 1:1)? While he couldn’t wait for God to decide for him, Isaac listened to the voice of God and became great, even in a difficult time and place (Gen. 26:1).
Now, part of Jesus Christ’s parting words to us in the book of Revelation is, ‘ And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.’ (Rev. 22:12). Hope you are not beginning to see him as having tarried too long to make you doubt him? May we have the strength to keep waiting, trusting and obeying God, in Jesus’ name.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, please help me to see You in all I will pass through in life.
2. My Father, help me never to hang up in life situations when You are saying ‘hold on’.