God's Blessing in Difficulty: Midweek Sermon Summary

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; ~ Genesis 26:12-13 NKJV

Sometimes difficulties occur because we take things into our own hands and try to take care of a problem without waiting on the Lord. Other times, difficulties arise simply because of the sinful, fallen world in which we live. Even in the midst of difficulties, God will often show His hand and His grace.

Isaac experiences a set of difficulties. First, he faces a famine in the land and prepares to escape to Egypt. However, God appears to Isaac and tells him not to go to Egypt and reassures him of the blessing that he will inherit the land. Isaac stays in the land, at Gehar, but makes a dire mistake that Abraham, his father had also made.

Twice, Abraham tells the ruler of a certain city that his wife, Sarah, is his sister. He does this because of a lack of faith. Now, often children follow and watch their parents. Isaac follows right in the footsteps of his father. He tells Abimilech that Rebekah is his sister rather than his wife. Isaac does this because he is afraid. This is a lack of faith. God Himself has just reminded Isaac of the blessing. He has no reason to doubt and fear.

You and I have even greater promises that we receive from God. God has promised to care for us just as much as he promised to take care of Isaac. When crisis comes our way, do we also act out of fear rather than faith?

Despite Isaac’s mistake, God still blesses him as he dwells in Gehar, not a small blessing, but a hundredfold! God blesses his children because of grace, not because of perfect actions. If God’s blessings came as a result of good someone does, then God’s blessings come by a person’s merit and payment. However, if we realize that God gives blessings by His grace, then we are free. Then, we will open our Bibles and pray out of thankfulness.

May we wait upon the Lord’s perfect timing and rely upon His grace. May we turn to His word and call out to Him out of a grateful heart. He will bless His children.

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield;

The Lord will give grace and glory;

No good thing will He withhold

From those who walk uprightly” ~ Psalm 84:11 NKJV