Trust And Obey For There Is No Other Way!

“So Isaac stayed in Gerar.” Genesis 26:6 CSB

Everyone remembers Abraham. In fact, if I asked you what he was known for, you’d probably immediately say something along the lines of how he left his father’s country and followed God to Canaan. Everyone remembers Jacob. If I were to ask what he was known for, most would say he was the heel-catcher who stole the birthright from his brother.

But if I asked you what Isaac, Abraham’s son and Jacob’s father was known for, not much may come to mind. Maybe that he showed favoritism toward Esau, or that he married Rebekah from the land of his father. In Genesis 26:6, however, a very short verse and a seemingly unimportant detail is shared with the reader. You might say, “So he stayed in Gerar, not such a big deal!” But it is a huge deal. If you’re not watchful in your reading of the chapter, you can miss a powerful lesson about this seemingly forgotten man. Genesis 26:6 is a testament to Isaac’s life. In those five words, we see a man who trusted the Lord.

You see, a famine had hit the land again. Previously, when Abraham first arrived, there was also a famine. Isaac was preparing to follow his father’s example by going down to Egypt. As Isaac was making his way south, the Lord stopped him in his tracks and said in Genesis 26:2, “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live. Stay in this land…”
Verse 6 shows us Isaac’s obedience to the word God gave him. It may seem insignificant to us as we read it, but it did not feel insignificant to Isaac. He had to trust God for his family’s provision. He had to trust in the covenant promise God had given to his father.

Egypt was tempting. It had a way of drawing men to itself. Egypt is often a type of the world in Scripture. The promises it makes, however, mask the troubles it brings into our lives. God desires that His people not look to the world for provision or protection, but to Himself. Jesus said, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33. As the people of God, Isaac is a wonderful example of faith in the promises of God’s Word during that moment in his life. My wife recently finished a book about the missionary George Müller. One principle of his ministry was this: whenever he found himself in need on the mission field, he prayed. He trusted that God would provide. And you know what happened? God provided. The Lord is faithful, faithful to fulfill all that He has spoken to us.

Today, if you find yourself looking to Egypt for help, the word to you is this: stay put. Remain where the Lord has you, and He will provide for you. There is an old song written by John H. Sammis (1887) called Trust and Obey, and one line says, “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” What a glorious truth we need to hear.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5–6

Agape,
Frank

A Partial Obedience

“After Lot had separated from him, the LORD said to Abram…”  Genesis 13:14 csb

We all know the feeling of waiting for a call, an email, or a text waiting for details or information before we can move on. As an ADHDer, this is like torture. Having to wait is brutal! I’ve seen some funny social media reels or TikToks of people reenacting what it’s like to get a text that says, “We need to talk later!” That’s the worst thing for someone like me (and perhaps you) to hear. I don’t like waiting for information, and most people don’t, especially in the information age we find ourselves in.

When we look at Abram’s life, God called Abram out of his father’s country to leave everything behind (minus his wife, because they are one). Abram partially obeyed. A partial obedience is complete disobedience, it will always cause delays in our lives. When Abram finally arrived in Canaan (after his detour through Egypt, which is a bible study in it self), he came out with excess baggage: his nephew Lot, along with Lot’s herdsmen. This caused issues for him. Infighting began between Lot’s herdsmen and Abram’s.

There was so much conflict that they had to separate from one another, Lot to the plains of Sodom, and Abram remaining in Canaan. After Lot left, we see something interesting take place in verse 14, which we read above: “The LORD said to Abram…” God had not spoken to Abram since He first arrived in Canaan. Because Abram only partially obeyed, and then took it upon himself to go into Egypt. This caused delayed instruction and revelation from God. The same happens to us. Disobedience delays, and even prevents us from hearing the Lord speak.

As a pastor, I often hear people say, “I’m not hearing from God,” or “I don’t feel the presence of the Lord anymore.” Perhaps that’s you today. When I hear those words, I often ask this question: What are you not obeying the Lord in? What has He called you to do that you are not fully obeying? Perhaps He has asked you to take a step of faith like Abram, maybe to leave a job, homeschool your kids, or ask a question to someone you’ve been praying for. Only you know what that is. And it’s up to you how long you want delayed presence, instruction, and revelation from the Lord. 

Does this mean all delays are because of disobedience? No, that would be bad theology. Some times delays take place because God is not ready to open that door, or we aren’t ready and mature enough. But thats not what we are talking about here. We are talking about has God said to you and have you not fully obeyed. That is something to ask yourself today if you find your self in a place of not hearing, not hearing the Lord speak. Ultimately, when Abram fully trusted and obeyed, blessing came because the Lord spoke. Always remember: blessing is ushered in through our obedience. 

Agape, 

Frank