Right on Time Encouragement
Genesis 26: 23 Then he went up from
there to Beersheba. 24 And
the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the
God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with
you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for My servant Abraham’s
sake.” 25 So he built an altar there
and called on the name of the Lord, and he pitched his tent there;
and there Isaac’s servants dug a well.
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After facing a famine, Isaac went to meet with the King of
Gerar. Isaac stayed in the land upon the LORD’s request. But in doing so, he
was told by the king to get out because Isaac had become too successful. He
then went back to where Abraham lived. His servants got into quarrels and
hostilities digging wells. This may have been discouraging.
My Observations:
- Isaac
faced extreme blessing, causing others to become jealous.
- Isaac
tried to live a peaceful life, only to face quarrels and hostility.
- Isaac,
while blessed, may have felt discouraged because of the current situation.
Quarrels, hostility and moving can be exhausting. Isaac was
simply trying to find a place to settle where he could keep his family,
servants and cattle alive. JESUS, I believe, appeared to Isaac and reiterated
HIS promise. “I AM the GOD of your father Abraham.” HE then said something that
leads me to believe HE was providing encouragement. “Do not fear, for I AM with
you.”
GOD could see that Isaac needed encouragement. HE restates
HIS promise to him to encourage him. Isaac responded by calling on the name of
the LORD. GOD saw Isaac and HE sees you and me. HE knows life can be
discouraging so HE says “Do not fear, I AM with you.” The Great I AM is with
you.
Challenge
- Why
do you think GOD told Moses about HIS appearance to Isaac?
- Have
you ever felt discouraged, even though GOD has blessed you over and over?
- Are
you willing to call upon the name of the LORD, knowing HE is with you to
help you to get rid of fear today?
Prayer
Dear LORD, we are frail humans and can easily get
discouraged. Please bless this reader with courage. Remove all fears, worries
and doubts and raise him or her to unexpected places. Thank YOU for being with
us. amen
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