Usually when we hear of crisis, bankruptcies, increasing unemployment figures or inflation, we start to panic. If in addition, the land regularly falls prey to natural disasters, we tremble more; losoe our sleep and only dream of leaving the country.
Yet, history is full of people who became rich and prosperous during economic crises or wars. These are people who are not discouraged and do not give up because of an unfavorable economic, financial or climatic environment. It is possible indeed to succeed even under extreme conditions. Chapter 26 of Genesis provides us with a good example of this through the life of Isaac.
In the middle of famine, Isaac sowed in a land and reaped a hundredfold because the Lord had blessed him. He became so wealthy and so powerful that people in the country, the Philistines, began to envy him and asked him to leave (vs. 12-16).
So he went to settle in the valley of Gerar, still in the land of the Philistines. In those days of famine, water was precious and hard to find; but Isaac found spring water in all the wells he dug, which further excited the envy and strife of the local shepherds (vs. 18-22). Eventually, their king came to acknowledge that God was with him and that he’d better have him as an ally (vs. 26-28).
And indeed, God was with him and had blessed him; but this was never automatic. He was with him because Isaac had followed His instructions and had trusted Him. Early in the famine, Isaac had been tempted to go down to Egypt with his family. But the Lord had appeared to him saying (vs. 2, 3): “Do not go down to Egypt… Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you, for to you and to your offspring I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father.” Isaac had stayed in spite of the starvation and God kept His promise.
How do you react in times of lack? The most important thing is not just to go to where the pastures seem greener; ‘‘Oh, I'm sure that if I was in Europe, I would…’’; ‘‘If I could get the visa for the United States, all my problems would be over…’’ One just needs to listen to the news to know that Europe and the United States are far from being the Eldorados many dream about. We also just need to open our eyes and look around to see that even in times of crisis, there are people next to us who buy, sell, marry and travel ... as “usual”.
When the time of parting ways with his uncle came, Lot hastened to choose the plain of Jordan which was well watered and then looked like a garden of the Lord. Little did he know that the locals were great sinners against the Lord and that God was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah where he had gone to settle. Abraham was left with a country that did not seem attractive at all; yet, it would become the Promised Land, the land flowing with milk and honey. All that glitters is not gold and we tend to rely too much on appearances.
Zambia’s brand new President, Michael SATA, was once a cleaner and a porter in one of the British Rail Stations. He could have chosen to stay in England instead of going back to his country. If he had chosen the European paradise instead of the African hell, he would have retired as a cleaner or something along the line and would have never become a president, with the unique opportunity to influence the course of a country and the lives of millions of people. This is why I say that the most important thing is not to run where there seems to be no famine; but the most crucial thing is rather to seek God's instructions in times of famine and stick to them.
He is able to give water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert so that His chosen people may drink (Is 43:20).
He is able to multiply the few loaves of bread that you have and give you enough provisions to feed more than 5000 people (Mat 14).
He is able to multiply the small amount of oil you have left to help you pay all your debts and start a business (2Ki 4).
He is able to calm the storms and hurricanes that threaten to sweep over your city (Mat 8).
He is even able to order the birds to bring you food on a daily basis (1Ki 17)!
When such a God tells you not to move and stay put, do not rely on your understanding or on what you see: just trust Him. Don’t move and He will be with you as He has been with Isaac and everything you touch will definitely prosper.
Have a wonderblessed week!
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