PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Genesis 25-26
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“We saw clearly that the Lord was with you.” (Genesis 26:28)
Abraham and Isaac do well when they stay with the Lord and his blessing.
But this causes tension with those around them, so that Isaac is sent away.
But the problem does not go away, because the blessing of the Lord goes with him.
“I will bless those who bless you… all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:3)
When people stay close to God and God’s way, God’s blessing increases for everyone.
There is more justice, mercy and faithfulness; there is more love, joy and peace.
The favour of the Lord on this behaviour blesses others, but may also make them envious.
History shows how often this leads to persecution and death.
And yet when Jesus followers are silenced or killed, the blessing goes with them.
The Jesus Way is the key to that blessing, the life that follows the Law of Love.
We are called to follow the Jesus Way, trusting in Jesus for God’s blessing and protection.
As we do, people will be drawn to us, and like Abimelek want to share in that blessing.
Is where I am living better off because of how God’s blessing flows through me?
Am I spreading the blessing of God the Jesus Way, and are people drawn to it in me?
PRAYER
Lord, if the people around me are not better off because of my presence, I am missing the point. Help me to receive and to share the gospel blessing with others!
Seems like a refrain from a song his father sung: “She is my sister,”- Trusting the Lord in the face of a uncertain situation. Isaac had to learn that just like his Father. The Lord gives Isaac the same promise – and he follows through. He blesses Isaac so much it caused jealously to the point of the local people’s stopping up Isaac’s wells. Isaac tries to move away but they follow him – yet the King Abimelech realizes that Isaac is a source of blessing. He see the evidence of how God has blessed Isaac and he now realizes that he must be at peace with Isaac because he says: “And now you are blessed by the Lord.” Do others see in me that I’m blessed by the Lord and want to also have my blessing – to want to know me better because I know Jesus? Lord help me share my blessing of knowing you so that others too may know!
The people around Isaac saw that the Lord was with Him. How do those around me see me? I am His and others need to see Him in me by my deeds and words. I am a living epistle being read by all those around me. Help me daily Lord to be an instrument of Your peace.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.