Genesis 26:12 Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the Lord blessed him.
Obedience yields a hundredfold blessing. Two handfuls from God’s hands would measure a hundredfold in human measures. The Lord blessed the efforts of Isaac because He was obedient. There was famine in the land and the Lord appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live. Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you (vs 2-3). To flee from famine is the immediate natural response. Abraham, his father fled to Egypt in the famine, but the Lord commanded Isaac to stay and Isaac was obedient. Isaac not only stayed but trusted God and planted crops. People don’t plant the seeds from their storage during famine as drought or blight might destroy it. Further, the grains will be preserved for food during famine but in obedience Isaac cultivated the land. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land (Isaiah 1:19).
Obedience will require both ‘action’ and ‘inaction’. Obedience to the word of God would require ‘stillness’ and ‘sowing’. Isaac’s inaction was to stay in the land, impoverished by famine and his action was to cultivate the land, scorched with drought. When we face famine in the form of pressure, persecution or paucity, seek the Lord for advice before you decide to resign, resist or repel. Irrespective of what the situation is, God will require us to stay still and not worry. The inaction is to be still and calm – “Do not be anxious about anything” and the action is to pray about everything – “but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). Obedience in all situations will be to ‘request’ (in prayer) and ‘rest’ (in trust).
Times-Two:
1. Uncomfortable: The situation could be uncomfortable, pray, praise and stay put. Quitting is no option when God says ‘stay’. Misunderstandings in relationships or arguments between spouses do not warrant divorce. Be quick to forgive and forget. Work through the uncomfortable challenges for the double fold blessings.
2. Unassuming: Obedience that is unassuming and genuine will be richly rewarded. Our hours of fasting or fervent praying in obedience to God’s voice need not be publicized. God’s hand of favour will follow His obedient children (Psalm 5:12).
3. Unbelievable: Obedience will bring forth rich recompense that will be beyond human comprehension. The king of the land of Gerar came to sign a treaty with Isaac just by witnessing God’s hand of blessing upon Isaac. “We saw clearly that the Lord was with you” (Genesis 26:28a). Humble childlike obedience is the key to unlock God’s abundant favour.
Obedience fetches abundant favour from the Lord.
Two handfuls from God’s hands would measure a hundredfold in human measures, so request and rest.
Deuteronomy 28:2 All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God:
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, Teach me the simple obedience to remain still in prayer and thanksgiving and not to be anxious. Anxiety is a sin. So help me not to worry or fret. Amen.
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