Following the Trail of God's Promises: The 40-Day ChallengeSample

18. Isaac Under God’s Protection

While Isaac was living in Gerar, in Philistia, the God of Abraham blessed him so much that he became richer and richer, having acquired flocks and numerous servants. As a newcomer, he caused envy among the Philistines, who rebelled against him, stopped up his wells and told him to leave.

Although he was “much mightier than they”, Isaac did not oppose them, but went to the valley of Gerar, pitched his tents and dug up his father's buried wells. Wells were crucial for the life of people and livestock. He also dug new wells and found spring water. God, according to His promise, was with him and blessed him. Because of the quarrel with the shepherds of Gerar, he named those wells Sitnah and Esek and he moved and dug a new well called Rehoboth because God gave him a place to live. Isaac found his peace in the city of his father Abraham, in Beersheba. By faith, he accepted God's promise, “Do not be afraid, for I am with you”, and built an altar to Yahweh who had appeared to him. He settled there, and the servants began to dig a well.

By faith in His promises and protection, Isaac was part of the fulfillment of God's great plan and a testimony to the people where he lived. And to us, today, God says, “Do not be afraid,” through the incarnate Emmanuel, and we are part of the same plan and a testimony of His faithfulness.