This sermon explores how Isaac's story teaches us to persist against opposition, honor our spiritual heritage, and trust in God's provision during difficult times.
As we gather here today, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, we find ourselves on the cusp of a story that is as old as time itself, yet as fresh and relevant as the morning dew. A story that weaves itself into the fabric of our lives, threading through our joys, our sorrows, our trials, and triumphs. A story that is not just of a man, but also of his faith, his resilience, and his unwavering trust in God's provision.
Our story comes from the book of Genesis, chapter 26, verses 19-22. Allow me to read:
"Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and discovered a well of fresh water there. But the herders of Gerar quarreled with those of Isaac and said, 'The water is ours!' So he named the well Esek, because they disputed with him. Then they dug another well, but they quarreled over that one also; so he named it Sitnah. He moved on from there and dug another well, and no one quarreled over it. He named it Rehoboth, saying, 'Now the Lord has given us room and we will flourish in the land.'"
In this passage, we find Isaac, a man of God, persisting in the face of opposition, paying respect to his spiritual heritage, and experiencing the provision of God in difficult times.
Charles Spurgeon once said, "By perseverance, the snail reached the ark." Like the snail, we too, in our spiritual journey, are called to persist, to keep moving forward, no matter how slow or arduous the journey may be.
In the narrative of Isaac, we find a man who, despite facing opposition, continues to dig wells. This is not a mere physical act, but a spiritual one as well. It's a testament to his faith, his trust in God's provision, and his determination to keep going, even when the circumstances are against him.
Isaac's story is a reflection of our own lives. We too face opposition, we too encounter disputes and quarrels, and we too are called to keep digging, to keep trusting in God's provision, to keep moving forward.
The first well that Isaac's servants dug was claimed by the herders of Gerar. They said, 'The water is ours!' This was a direct opposition to Isaac. But instead of retaliating or giving up, Isaac moved on and dug another well.
This act of moving on and digging another well, despite the opposition, is a powerful demonstration of persistence. It's a reminder to us that when we face opposition, when we encounter disputes and quarrels, we are not to give up, but to keep moving forward, to keep digging our wells.
The second well that Isaac's servants dug was also claimed by the herders of Gerar. They quarreled over it. Again, Isaac faced opposition. But again, he did not give up. He moved on and dug another well.
This repeated act of moving on and digging another well, despite repeated opposition, is a testament to Isaac's resilience. It's a lesson for us that persistence is not a one-off act, but a continuous process. It's a call for us to keep going, to keep trusting in God's provision, even when the opposition is persistent.
The third well that Isaac's servants dug was not quarreled over. It was a place of peace amidst the strife. It was a symbol of God's provision.
This finding of a well where no one quarreled over, after facing repeated opposition, is a manifestation of God's provision. It's an assurance to us that when we persist in the face of opposition, when we keep moving forward, when we keep digging our wells, God will provide. He will give us our Rehoboth, our place of peace amidst the strife.
As we continue to examine the life of Isaac, we find ourselves drawn to the significance of his actions in acknowledging his spiritual lineage ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
Sermon Central
