"Now there was a famine in the land—besides the previous famine in Abraham's time—and Isaac went to Abimelek king of the Philistines in Gerar. The Lord appeared to Isaac and said, "Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live. Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham...So Isaac stayed in Gerar." (Genesis 26:1-4, 6)
In the late-2000s, a financial crisis said by many to be the worst one since the Great Depression of the 1930s, hit the world. Many large financial institutions collapsed. Businesses failed. The stock markets took a dive. The housing market was also hit with lots of evictions, foreclosures, drop in house values and vacant houses listed for long periods of time. The wealth of people generally declined, spending dropped and many lost their jobs as their employers closed shops. There was fear everywhere as the effect crept over into households all over the nations.
According to our text, a crisis worse than this took place in Isaac's time. There was a famine. A famine is a period of severe food shortage leading to mass starvation, malnutrition, disease, death and migration. People were migrating to other nations like Egypt to escape the effects. It was crisis time for everyone. Meditating on Isaac's response to this famine teaches a lot about how to handle crisis times. Here are some wisdom keys for handling such times:
1. Know that the crisis you are going through is not special. The first things we see is that troubled times are cyclical. There was a famine in Abraham's time, now there is one in his son's time. As we will see later there was another famine in Jacob's, his grandson's time too. So troubled times visit every generation. People have been through what you are dealing with before. Others will still go through it after you. There is something encouraging about knowing that you are not alone in the issues that confront you that others are there and have been there. This is the reason why Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that
"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."
So what you are going through is not unique. You can look around you and to the past and you will see others who are tackling or have tackled similar things.
2. Your response to the crisis should be dictated by an instruction from God. When crisis times hit, there is a tendency to take matters into your own hand, plotting your way out by yourself without finding out what God has to say about the issue. You want to use your wisdom to deal with the financial or housing, health or marital issues you face. You are so concerned and worried that consulting God on the matter is the last thing on your mind.
3. The instructions of God on what to do in a crisis may go contrary to popular opinion or historical precedents. When Abraham faced a famine, He went to Egypt and prospered. But God's instruction to Isaac was different. Everyone was leaving town but God told him to stay. God told Him to stay in the place where there was scarcity because that was where his blessing was. During crisis times, God may tell you to act contrary to how economist predicts you should act or how others are acting. He may tell you to sell when others are buying or to buy when everyone is selling. He way tell you give more when others are hoarding. He may tell you to stay in that company or city when others are bailing out. The instruction may sound foolish, but obeying it is where God's blessings lie.
4. Your survival and victory in crisis is based on God's presence with you and His promises over your life. This is the real key. Isaac's victory was not going to be based on his physical location, the prevailing crisis, the government or the environment. He would thrive through God's assistance and covenant alone. That was why God promised to be with him and reminded him of the promises to Abraham that now belonged to Isaac. God is able to pull you through whatever crisis times, you are going through. His covenant promises cover all situations. Like Isaac you are also a child of the promise. The blessing of Abraham is yours and you will be victorious over that crisis because of it.
So if you are going through any crisis now, be comforted that you are not alone in it, but refuse to be afraid. Refuse to blindly copy or repeat how others are responding, especially if it is in fear and lack of faith. Turn your eyes to the God of your covenant. Read His words to you. He will give you specific directions on what to do about the situation. Choose to obey this instructions even if they look foolish. Things will work out for your good.
Decision of the Day
In the time of crisis, I will turn to God. I will be dependent on Him. I will seek His wisdom and obey His instructions even if they are contrary to popular opinion. He will take care of me and put me over because of His faithfulness to His covenant promises.
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