"Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold, and the Lord blessed him. The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous; for he had possessions of flocks and possessions of herds and a great number of servants. So the Philistines envied him."
Genesis 26:12–14 (NKJV)
There is no doubt that the world as it is today is difficult in so many ways. People are going through economic hardships, relationships are in shambles, people's health are in a bad shape. Crime and evil are at an all-time high and there are problems in practically all areas of life.
When you see all these going on there's a high chance of succumbing to the prevalent fear. People also have the tendency to run to anything they are told can bring them succour. Sadly for many, the promised hope only added to the disappointment.
This then begs the question: "Is there hope in these trying times? Can someone have a no-fail system that can be applied to all areas of life that guarantee success at all times?
Thankfully, the answer is a resounding yes!
Today a quick look at the life of Isaac, the son of Abraham. The lessons we learn from his life can be applied to all areas of our lives.
The first thing we see in this chapter 26 is there was a famine, another famine.
This tells you that there was a problem. It says "another famine" because something similar had happened in the time of Abraham, Isaac's father.
Lesson one. There will never be a time where we will be totally immune from problems on this side of eternity. There will always be one form of challenge or the other. Being a child of God will not stop the devil from attacking you.
Also, problems and challenges should not shock you, nor intimidate you. You are well able to handle anything that comes your way. God has given you victory in Christ. All the resources to walk in Victory are at your disposal.
That said, this does not mean we should sit docile and accept any problems that come, nor should we go out of our way to cause problems for ourselves. No, we live in a world that largely ignores God and does things their own way, not subscribing to the word of God. When Adam sinned and fell in the garden of Eden, the world was plunged into chaos.
So sin and ungodliness we can say has hampered with the original design of the cosmos and the result is problems and challenges. Moreso, the bible tells us the world is under the sway of the evil one, therefore problems that we see are the direct or indirect influence of the devil and his demons.
So problems and challenges are nothing new therefore they shouldn't faze you because you are well able to conquer them if you follow the word of God.
The next thing we see is Isaac going to Gerar, and God appears to him, instructing him not to go to Egypt. Could it be Gerar was a stopover on the way to Egypt? Abraham went to Egypt during his own famine, a lot of problems resulted. Hagar was an Egyptian slave which presumably was a gift to Abraham because of Sarah and we are still yet to recover from the episode with Hagar.
Whatever the case God clearly instructs Isaac not to go to Egypt. This means Egypt was like a fast and easy solution whenever there was a famine.
Egypt seemed like a thriving place where all problems seem to vanish. It's an inviting place to go, rather than go through the process that God proffers.
You are tempted to manipulate numbers at the office to gain some financial advantage, that is Egypt calling you. You are pregnant, and you don't want the baby, and the easiest "solution" to you is abortion. That is the Egyptian way. Any way that affords quick relief but is against the word of God is an Egyptian way.
Stealing, lying, cheating, and doing stuff to have a better life that is not God's way is an Egyptian lifestyle. Famine is no excuse to go the Egyptian way.
God says "Do not go down to Egypt"
The danger of going to Egypt against God's word is that you may have some temporary relief but like Hagar and Ishmael, you may have to deal with some resultant problems all your life! Don't disobey God and invite generational problems to yourself!
"Don't go to Egypt" says God. "Stay in this land!" Stay in the land that I tell you!
Your prosperity in hard times or at any time is not determined by your location. It is determined by your adherence to instructions from God. Don't allow your eyes and your emotions to decide what you choose. Make your choices by divine direction. Lot looked at the green land and went to dwell in Sodom! Abraham ran to Egypt to escape famine and carried along generational problems.
So are you seeking a solution by divine instructions or are you following your desires alone?
God says to Isaac dwell here and God began to remind him of the covenant that is operating in his life.
God was telling him in essence that his life was not dependent on his location, nor on what was happening around him, it was dependent on his right relationship with God in the covenant. In other words, the covenant of God in operation in your life can withstand and make you prosper in any situation or location so long you follow the divine blueprint.
Adherence to the word of God, the divine instruction of God will make you prosper in any situation.
Stay with me. We will see how to apply these principles practically.
God tells Isaac to dwell here:
"You have Me with you. My presence is the difference you will see. I will bless you."
God says further "This whole land is yours, a gift from me..." So the promise goes on and on.
Now a man in the flesh will be like "yeah right God, a land of famine is what you are giving me!" Thanks, but no thanks!
Isaac, a man of the Spirit, obeyed God and stayed in the land. God says "the whole land I am giving to you."
Yes, it may seem like there is so much famine right now but like Abraham, lift up your eyes and see! Look beyond what you see! Look through the eyes of the covenant.
Through the eyes of the covenant, a land of drought is a land of milk and honey. The fruitfulness of the land is governed by your adherence to covenant principles and practices.
God says I give you this whole land...it's all yours! The covenant exposes you to limitless possibilities.
While others are languishing, it is a time of growth and opportunity for you. You operate on a different plane!
For a child of God, all circumstances are a blessing. Famine or not, you have limitless possibilities and blessings. The covenant of God determines how blessed you are not the circumstances you find yourself in.
WHAT TO DO IN HARD TIMES
We jump a few verses and see the things Isaac did practically that ensured he was blessed.
The covenant and the promises of God are God's provision for your blessing in all circumstances. Your action in response to the promises and instructions of God is what will determine how blessed you become in practice.
God makes the power and blessing available. You will take the step of faith to appropriate those blessings.
So what did Isaac do? He sowed! In that same land!
In the land where everyone says there was a famine, Isaac planted. While others are saying it won't work, Isaac planted. While others are saying the times are hard, there is no capital, Isaac planted.
When others are saying marriages don't work, Isaac planted. When they say teenagers don't listen and will always be rebellious Isaac planted. They are saying the sickness is incurable, Isaac planted. "It can't be done" the naysayers chorused. Isaac planted.
They are busy with negativity, fear, and discouragement. What should you be doing? Be planting.
Plant the word in your heart and speak it over your circumstances. Begin that business. Start that advertising. Get the word out. Plant your business. Plant in your relationship. Invest in your home.
Plant. Plant. Plant.
The land is dry! Plant. There's no sign that rain will fall. Plant. Like Noah build an ark in the dry times. The God of the covenant is the God who created the rain. The times and the seasons are in His hands.
Plant. Plant. Plant. Harvest is guaranteed if you plant. The famine should not determine if you plant or not. The covenant should.
The covenant says you will be blessed at all times. The whole land is before you. Make your pick and plant.
The covenant determines your harvest so plant.
So how do you prosper in the time of famine?
PLANT
Do something in response to the covenant.
No matter how small or foolish it may seem, do what you can. Do your part. God will handle the rest.
You do the planting. God does the multiplying.
The action to plant in the time of your difficulty is your expression of faith. It is your expression of confidence in the covenant of God. It is your trust in the word of God.
What did God say when you exercise faith?
"Be it unto you according to your faith!"
As you believe and plant in the hard times you too will be like Isaac who
"...reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the Lord blessed him. The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous; for he had possessions of flocks and possessions of herds and a great number of servants. So the Philistines envied him."
God will multiply your efforts and give you results greater than your input because you obeyed his word and stayed in the land away from Egypt. You obeyed the covenant. And you planted.
When you plant, a harvest awaits you. Anytime!
Planting in the time of famine, taking action to grow, defying the negative circumstances is the No-Fail system that guarantees a harvest in famine. Obeying the word of God and doing what will produce results is the right thing to do in hard times. Don't wait for circumstances to change, take steps to change them as an act of faith and God is sure to bless your efforts. Faith takes action. Confidence works and trusts God to bring results.
Thank you. Glad to know I'm not stuck. I can plant now.