Scripture to Read: Genesis 26:17-33
As we continue in Genesis 26, we see fear, but fear is not described as a response from Isaac but a word from our LORD. The LORD appeared to Isaac and commanded him in Genesis 26:24, “Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your offspring for My servant Abraham’s sake.” The LORD told Isaac not to fear because He would be with him, bless him and multiply his offspring. God continued to be faithful to His covenant with Abraham, and Isaac had no reason to fear. Not giving in to fear was important because Isaac was about to face situations where he could respond as before, in fear. When arguments arose between Isaac’s servants and the Philistines in Genesis 26:17-21, they finally came to a place where there was no more quarreling, and Isaac responded in Genesis 26:22, “For now the LORD has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.” Isaac saw the LORD at work. We also see that when Abimelech came back into the picture, Abimelech sought to make peace with Isaac because he saw the LORD had been with Isaac in Genesis 26:26-33. Isaac did not fear Abimelech, but Abimelech now feared Isaac because God was with Him. In cases where Isaac could have given in to fear, he kept his eyes on the LORD. As we examine our relationships, do we see them through the lens of what people can do to us or what our Lord is doing for and through us?
Challenge & Application
1. What does this passage teach us about how we should respond to the presence of God as Christians?
2. How are you living in a way that would lead unbelievers to see there is something different about you (being, that the LORD is with you)?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!