(Genesis 26:12-14)
Famine had overtaken the land. There was hunger and devastation everywhere. Those who could, fled to other lands for greener pasture.

But in the midst of such impossible circumstances, one man was asked by God not to leave for God would be his provider. “And Issac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold.” (Genesis 26:12-14)

No way! That cannot happen. Or, could it be that Isaac had some farming hack that no one else had? Maybe he stole from the crops of others. He became rich at the expense of the rest of the people of the land.

Or maybe, God intervened and performed another creative act similar to the Genesis account. But isn’t the universe a closed system? Can matter be created?

Let’s put the questions aside and put our obedience to work. See God show up and bless the work of your hands. I’m not saying that it always works like that. But for Isaac, that’s what happened. He became so wealthy and powerful that they asked him to leave their land as he was becoming too powerful.

That’s an impossible yield.


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Just imagine stepping into a sizable inheritance left by one of your ancestors. Not only would it be a surprise, but you would wonder how someone cared so much for you without knowing you in person. 

Now imagine a spiritual inheritance from your ancestors that pays not only financially but also spiritually, socially, and with an overall favor on your lives…Just because one of your ancestors lived in obedience to God. Such thoughts would not only be unimaginable but we may also doubt it’s legitimacy. 

When God spoke to Isaac in Genesis 26:4-5, it was during a severe famine and calamity throughout the region. God offered promises of many descendants, land, and a multi-national impact. All of this because his father Abraham was obedient to God. 

Let these words sink in to your heart: 

[4] I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring, all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, [5] because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.” (Gen 26:4-5)

I wouldn’t want to sit aimlessly hoping and waiting for a sizable inheritance. I might be waiting for too long. But here is an opportunity to think of our future generations. Our obedience to God that is complete and without reservation can be a great asset to us and to generations that we may never see. 

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 Making changes mid-course is not easy. As a matter of fact we would resist it as much as possible. Sometimes we would resist making that change because of the discomfort it would cause. It could also be the result of pride not allowing us to acknowledge our mistakes.

Isaac had already left and arrived in Gerar, the land of the Philistines (Genesis 26:2-3). He was running away from the famine in Palestine. There was no way to survive, the crops failed and people were suffering. It was natural for Isaac to flee the land of famine and to go to the Land of Plenty, which was Egypt.

Genesis 26:2-3

[2] And the LORD appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you. 

[3] Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you, for to you and your offspring I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father. (Genesis 26:2-3)

Thus God intervened and reminded him that he was to remain in the land of Palestine. God had plans to bless him and his descendants in the midst of the famine. Normally, we would be inclined to doubt if this was really a word from God. 

We might make a logical deduction that God would not suggest something this foolish. Remaining in the land of drought, or continuing in a land of decline isn’t logical. But Isaac passed up his human logic and decided to obey and change course. Learning to listen to God’s voice and to be flexible with our plans will certainly be a great asset for us. 

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 This phrase, Enemies of the Cross, sounds quite offensive. But it’s not the kind of enemies that you would think of. It’s not talking about those outside of the Christian faith who oppose Christianity.

This phrase in Philippians 3:18-19 refers to Christians who have missed their focus on the cross of Christ. Verse 19 says that their end is destruction and their God is their belly and their Glory is their shame. In other words they Glory in things that are shameful. Such Christians are enemies of the cross.

Here is the text of that passage:

For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame— who set their mind on earthly things. (Philippians 3:18-19 NKJV)

It’s not that we should ignore our earthly life. We cannot do that. The Apostle Paul is specifying that the ultimate and deep desire of every believer should be the return of Christ. Then all things will be restored and all things will be made perfect.

We have to think of this Earthly life that we live in. But our ultimate focus and desire is Christ himself. This life, and all it’s imperfections, and all our failures cause a lot of heartache and pain. But if our ultimate desire and focus is Christ himself and his eventual return, we have hope.

But too often, we get immersed in “fixing” every part of our lives, wanting to make it conform to the image we have created. Yet we ignore the reality that we cannot fix everything. It’s a broken world we live in, and we are broken people. Let’s keep our hearts focused on Christ who will one day restore everything. Otherwise, WE become Enemies of the Cross of Christ.

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Maybe the title to this post should have been: Surrender: When life doesn’t make sense, surrender it to the one who put your life together.

It’s a modern construct that we think life should make sense. But the ancients saw life as part of God’s overall plan of creation. They saw it specifically as God’s plan for each individual.

Psalm 139:16 says: 

“Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed, 

And in Your book they all were written, 

The days fashioned for me, 

When as yet they were none of them.”

If David were to plan out his life, it would have never been such a tumultuous and turbulent one. But he understood his life as part of God’s overall plan for his people and specifically for him.

The quicker we can walk away from the modern understanding that we can tailor our life, the quicker we will be able to resolve the unresolvable factors of life. So, surrender your expectations to the one who fashioned your life, even from your mother’s womb.

When verse 16 says, “And in your book they all were written,” I understand several important factors. First God has a plan. Second, God is aware of everything that I go through. Third, God has not forgotten me even when it feels like others have forgotten or, others care less about me. God cares for me.

So, when life doesn’t make sense, surrender it to the one who put your life together.

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That gap between good intentions and reality is complex. It has elements of discipline, emotions, and it also has a spiritual realm. But all three may be interconnected beyond our understanding. 

In both Matthew 26:41 and Mark 14:38, Jesus instructs his disciples to “watch and pray” so they’ll not fall into temptation, saying, “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Jesus was about to face the cruelest abuse and torture ever in his life, and he knew its severity. But his disciples didn’t have a clue, although they were alerted by Jesus regarding what would happen. Although Jesus would face the most severe physical result of this, it would be different for Jesus. 

We can all relate to the concept of a willing spirit and a weak spirit. We face it in our daily life in relationships, work, commitments, and in our spiritual lives. These are common struggles for all of us. 

But Jesus’ solution to watch and pray must be examined carefully. The struggles we face are physical, emotional, and the stuff of this world. But Jesus recognized that the greater struggle is in the spiritual realm which must be addressed through prayer. Otherwise, he would have given them a motivational speech to overcome the upcoming struggles. 

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It’s not a longing for suicide. But a longing for the true and ultimate life with God. In 1 Corinthians 15:31, Paul used the words “I die daily” to indicate the risky situation that he lived each day for the sake of the Gospel.

He used this in the context of the resurrection of the dead. For him, there was no fear of death because of his hope in the resurrection. He saw death face to face on a daily basis. And he looked forward to an eternal life with God. 

A similar concept was expressed by St. John of the Cross: 

“This life that I live
is no life at all,
and so I die continually
until I live with you;
hear me, my God:
I do not desire this life,
I am dying because I do not die.”

~ St. John of the Cross, from “Stanzas of the soul that suffers with longing to see God.”

This focus on dying is due to the constant troubles of life that caused the writer to daily long for the true and eternally fulfilling life with God. Thus he uses a seemingly contradictory phrase “I am dying because I do not die.”

Dying to live – looking forward to true, satisfying, and eternal life with God. 

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This statement begs the question: What is your mean that you can revert to?
It can be your wealth, friendships, or your status. But could it be your relationship with God?

Life is tough. Maybe even horrendous. Instead of allowing this crazy life to throw you off into unhealthy tangents, you can revert to your mean. Return to the relationship you have with Jesus to keep you on track.

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When a broken relationship is restored, there is a sense of relief and satisfaction. All it takes is an offense or something more severe, and that could be the end of a relationship for years or sometimes for a lifetime. People often hold grudges and won’t give in or forgive. 

But God in his mercy responds differently, even from long ago in Old Testament times. He has always provided a way to restore the relationship with God. With a simple recognition of the offense or sin, one could approach God with an offering with the help of the priest, and God would forgive the offense. The relationship with God would be restored and people can go on with their lives with the freedom and joy that God gives. 

The verses below is just a sample of the entire chapter where God’s forgiveness is offered to people who are clearly guilty of sinning against God. Being merciful and kind, God never wants a broken relationship to remain like that. He provided a way. As you read the verses below, reflect on God’s live and care for people: 

17 “If a person sins, and commits any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the Lord, though he does not know it, yet he is guilty and shall bear his iniquity. 18 And he shall bring to the priest a ram without blemish from the flock, with your valuation, as a trespass offering. So the priest shall make atonement for him regarding his ignorance in which he erred and did not know it, and it shall be forgiven him. 19 It is a trespass offering; he has certainly trespassed against the Lord.” (Leviticus 5:17-18)

Then, reflect on Jesus who became the sacrifice once and for all times for all the sins of people. The sacrifices that had to be continuously offered now are no longer needed. Just turn to Jesus and ask him for forgiveness. His own sacrifice over two thousand years ago can be applied to your life. 

Go for it. Experience that forgiveness, restoration, and peace that he offers. 

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Usually we see him as poised and determined in his approach. But seeing Jesus as one who cries out loud and full of tears?

Jesus was actually poised, determined, and confident. But just like you and me, life was tough on him. The things he faced in life far exceed our experiences. But he was able to remain confident in all situations.

His confidence rested in his relationship with his Father, with whom he could share his deepest pain and struggles that could not be expressed to anyone else.

“In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.” (Hebrews 5:7)

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