Many are the ways a man plans in his heart, but the Lord directs his path (Prov 19:21).
Godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Timothy 6:6-11)
I had a sweet time in the Word studying Genesis 26, and was encouraged by Isaac’s testimony of God’s faithfulness to His promise. So, Isaac was living in Gerar, a Philistine territory. God spoke to Isaac to renew the covenant He had with Abraham. Isaac was to walk in obedience and listen to the Lord, and God would bless all nations through Isaac’s seed.
What touched me was the fact that Isaac was living his life, it’s recounted in this passage that he experienced fear of man, but God gave him favor with the Philistine king and blessed Isaac with riches and power. Soon, the Philistines were envious and then kicked him out to the valley of Gerar and stopped up all of Isaac’s family wells. God spoke to Him again, to not be afraid, even amidst the circumstance and tension. I got the sense that Isaac must of been floundering, not sure of what to do. He was faced with opposition from the Philistines and was displaced. He was a good steward by simply trusting God. God shows Himself victorious by redeeming us from the enemy’s hands. He calls us His captives, His prize (this imagery comes from Roman parades after successful conquest; they paraded with their captives). Captives just move along with their Master, they are not the do-gooders. So, we are just witnesses and living testimonies to what God is doing. The Philistines acknowledged the LORD’S work in Isaac’s life and came back to him to make a peace treaty. And then Isaac’s servants finally found a well of water!
This reminded me of:
Phil. 2:10-11
1 Pet 3:13-22
2 Cor 2:14-16
God is with you, His hand is doing these wonderful things in your life, and you have nothing to fear that the world fears (Isaiah. 8:11-17).
“You are not to say, ‘It is a conspiracy!’
Regarding everything that this people call a conspiracy,
And you are not to fear what they fear or be in dread of it. Isaiah 8:12
To the Philistine king, Isaac was to be envied and feared… Isaac had a stench of death. To those ready to place faith in Christ Jesus, we can say Isaac spread the sweet fragrance of life.
It doesn’t matter how people react outwardly towards my Christian witness…I don’t know what God is doing in their hearts. He moves even the hearts of kings (Proverbs 21:1).
As you are captive for Christ…remember you have a captive audience…
Gianna Elyse 