Scripture: Genesis 26:1-33
I. God gives promises to ordinary people.
A. Genesis 26:1 says there was a famine in the land in the days of Isaac like the famine in the days of Isaac’s father Abraham that is recorded in Genesis 12. While Isaac was thinking about where to go to escape the famine, God appears to him and makes some great promises in vs. 2-3. God makes the same promises to ordinary Isaac as He made to Isaac’s father Abraham. God makes a wonderful promise to ordinary Christians in Philippians 4:19, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
II. God gives protection to ordinary people.
A. God began his list of promises in Gen. 26:3 by saying, “Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you.” The first promise God made to Isaac – I will be with you – is the very first time in the Bible that God promises to be with someone. God would be with Isaac to protect him. And Isaac would need protection from the Philistines (vs. 7-11). Isaac lied about Rebekah his wife, but God protected him even though he sinned. 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
III. God gives provision to ordinary people.
A. Despite Isaac’s lies and sin, God blesses him. God gave to Isaac among the Philistines in a time of famine a ludicrous amount of success in farming (vs. 12-13). Isaac obeyed God by staying among the Philistines. And God blessed him with wealth. God does not always bless us with material blessings when we obey Him (see the book of Job), but God always blesses us with spiritual blessings when we obey Him. And spiritual blessings are much better. Spiritual riches don’t get stolen, don’t rust away, and don’t cause anxiety because you can never lose them.
IV. God gives peace to ordinary people.
A. Isaac makes a peace treaty with the Philistines (vs. 28). Before this peace treaty is confirmed God reminds Isaac in vs. 24: “Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham’s sake.” The Philistines made peace because Isaac was so blessed by God. Proverbs 16:7: “When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” God blessed Isaac with peace because of his father Abraham’s faith and obedience. And God blesses Christians with peace with God because of Jesus’ obedience.
Application:
Trust that God is more than enough for your needs. Trust Jesus to save and forgive you.
Sources:
The Bible
Commentaries by Allen Ross, Dale Ralph Davis, Bruce Waltke
Sermon Discussion Questions
1) Does God only give His gifts to extraordinary Christians or does He also bless ordinary Christians? Which blessing that God gave to Isaac – blessings of promises, protection, provision and peace – do you most want to thank God for today? Which blessing do you need to ask God for today?
2) Why does God protect His people even when they sin? When God says, “I am with you,” how should they make you feel?
3) Does the lack of material blessings in your life mean that God isn’t with you? Why or why not? How can ordinary people experience the blessing of peace with God?