Taking Time to Worship the Lord. Genesis 26:23-25

May the mumbling commence!

In times of strife, we are called to take time out and worship the Lord.  It’s often at difficult times that the Lord speaks to us the most clearly.  Read from Peterson’s The Message:

                        From there he went up to Beersheba.  That very night God appeared to him and said,

                                   

I am the God of Abraham your father;

                                                don’t fear a thing because I’m with you.

                                    I’ll bless you and make your children flourish

                                                because of Abraham my servant.

           

Isaac built an altar there and prayed, calling on God by name.  He pitched his tent and his servants started digging another well.  (Genesis 26:23-25)

Now read the same passage from the NIV translation:

From there he went up to Beersheba.  That night the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham.  Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of Abraham.”

Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of the Lord.  There he pitched his tent, and there his servants dug a well.  (Genesis 26:23-25)

This is one case that I really like the work of Peterson.  He makes the heart and soul of the Scripture come alive and clear.  There is nothing to fear.

What was there to fear?  The Lord is a Mighty God, who causes change in the lives of those who faithfully follow Him.  And Abraham was the servant of the Lord.  I like that addition by Peterson!  It’s a reason to fear… to respect the Lord.

There was another thing to fear.  Remember that the friction caused by Isaac’s wealth and success was making life miserable for Isaac and his family.  They moved from place to place until the Lord made space for them.  And Isaac gave thanks.

I do not think it a coincidence that the Lord spoke to Isaac at this juncture.  It was at this point that God made Isaac the same promise that He had made with Abraham.  With his actions, Isaac was claiming the promises of the Lord for himself.  Isaac, too, is a servant of the Lord.

Isaac built altars and worshiped the Lord.  Isaac prayed to the Lord.  It was the key to Isaac’s success and wealth.

Just watch to see what the Lord can do through a person faithfully following Him!  Enemies will be transformed into allies.  We will see this tomorrow.

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out