Because GOD Blessed HIM: Devotion for Thursday August 16, 2012

BECAUSE GOD BLESSED HIM: Devotion for Thursday August 16, 2012                    

Text: Genesis 26: 18 – Isaac planted crops in that lad and that same year reaped a hundred folds, because God blessed him (New International Version).

When God purposed to bless us, He gives us instruction on what to do. The decision to either comply or do otherwise is in our hands. God has ordained to bless us in a particular place, as we saw two days ago. Because Isaac obeyed the instructions God gave him, he also received God’s blessings.  The result of Isaac’s obedience is our text today. He reaped hundredfold.

There are two lessons we must learn from this; a) Obedience brings blessings and b) God has a place prepared for us where He will bless us. In Luke 5: 1ff is the story of how Jesus used Peter’s fishing boat to preach after which He gave Peter an instruction. In the eyes of the professionals in fishing it is awkward to obey such command in a broad day light. However, Peter obeyed and had a miraculous catch.

When God gave Isaac the promise, he obeyed. Didn’t God fulfil His part? (See Genesis 26: 12 – 14). Many Christians miss their blessings because we have programmed God to bless us in the place where we want and not where God ordained. Some are of the opinion that because God blessed John as a banker, they will be blessed there too. It is not so with God.

Many today are living from hand to mouth. Why? Can you give any reason why it is so? Many of us accuse the devil/witches for our woes, when we are the architect of our doom due to disobedience. We like to do things outside the will of God. Such can never bring blessing. God blesses us when we accord Him the full compliment of obedience.

Food for Thought: True obedience neither procrastinates nor questions –Quarles

Prayer Points:

1. Thank God our inheritance and ask for grace to obey God.

3. Pray with Genesis 26: 12 – 14.