NO BIBLE NO BREAKFAST DAILY BIBLE REFLECTIONS AND MORE

REFLECTION

Persistence brings reward is the theme for our reflection. To persist means to continue a course of action despite difficulty or opposition. A reward is something received in recognition of one’s effort or achievement. Persistence brings reward. In other word, God shall reward us if we continue to please Him or do His will despite the myriads of challenges or oppositions. Genesis 26:12-33 recounts how God blessed Isaac with immense wealth, causing the Philistines to become envious and the king, Abimelech, to ask him to leave. Isaac moved to the Valley of Gerar, where his servants reopened the wells his father, Abraham, had dug, leading to disputes with local herdsmen over water rights. After moving to Beersheba, Isaac built an altar to God, and Abimelech, realising God was with Isaac, came to him to make a treaty of peace.  We shall reflect on the fact that in every situation we find ourselves, let us persist in actions that please God, and in His own appointed time, He will reward us.

Beloved in the Lord, irrespective of the challenges, hurdles or impediments encountered in life, we are greatly encouraged to persist in godly actions and efforts as men and women of faith, for God will reward us in the end.  Beloved in the Lord, no one can frustrate you when God has blessed you, and no amount of envy will stop God’s plan and purpose in your life from materialising. We are told that irrespective of the famine season, Isaac and his wife settled in Gerar, the land of the Philistines. “Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the LORD blessed him. 13 The man became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy. 14 He had so many flocks and herds and servants that the Philistines envied him. 15 So all the wells that his father’s servants had dug in the time of his father Abraham, the Philistines stopped up, filling them with earth. 16 Then Abimelek said to Isaac, “Move away from us; you have become too powerful for us. ” (Genesis 26:12-16) They could not contain Isaac’s blessings, so they conspired to bring him down. Still, Isaac was persistent in doing what was right. When we persist in our godly actions, God fights our battles and rewards us.

Isaac’s example of persistence in staying out of trouble and living at peace with all as far as it depended on him led Him to more prosperous grounds. God uses even the actions of our enemies to direct our path to where He wants to reward our persistence and sense of purpose. We are told, “Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and discovered a well of fresh water there. 20 But the herders of Gerar quarrelled with those of Isaac and said, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek, because they disputed with him. 21 Then they dug another well, but they quarrelled over that one also; so he named it Sitnah. 22 He moved on from there and dug another well, and no one quarrelled over it. He named it Rehoboth, saying, “Now the LORD has given us room and we will flourish in the land.” (Genesis 26:19-22) May the Lord lead you to your Rehoboth even as you persist in doing His will amid the challenges and impediments placed on your path at your workplace, in your family and wherever you find yourself.

Isaac has taught a great lesson of persistence in our godliness. He has taught us not to struggle or fight with anyone over worldly possessions. Again, he has taught us to walk away when our peace and achievement are being threatened or disturbed by those who envy us and seek our downfall. As we endeavour or persist to do what is right, especially avoiding confrontation and chaotic enounters with our enemies, we are assured that God has a greater purpose and reward for us. God will cause our enemies and those who envy us to testify to His glory in our lives. Meanwhile, Abimelek had come to him from Gerar, with Ahuzzath his personal adviser and Phicol the commander of his forces. 27 Isaac asked them, “Why have you come to me, since you were hostile to me and sent me away? ” 28 They answered, “We saw clearly that the LORD was with you; so we said, ‘There ought to be a sworn agreement between us’—between us and you. Let us make a treaty with you 29 that you will do us no harm, just as we did not harm you but always treated you well and sent you away peacefully. And now you are blessed by the LORD.” (Genesis 26:26-29) As if that was not enough, we are told that “That day Isaac’s servants came and told him about the well they had dug. They said, “We’ve found water!” 33 He called it Shibah, and to this day the name of the town has been Beersheba.” (Genesis 26:32-33) My dear friend in Christ, wipe your tears and rather begin to pray for the day of your vindication, redemption and upliftment. Paul has greatly enouraged us that “… all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28). If only you will persist without despair, and you will allow God to lead you in your struggles and battles. If only you would surrender all to God through the enablement of the Holy Spirit. If only you will remain resolute in all your endeavours to please God, He will reward your persistence in the midst of your enemies so that they will give glory to God. David also experienced the glory of God in the midst of his enemies and he testified, ” You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalms 23:5-6). May those who despised and rejected you in the past come to hear your testimony and witness the mercy and goodness of God in your life.

In summary, we have learnt that in every situation we find ourselves, let us persist in actions that please God and in His own appointed time He will reward us. Shalom.

PRAYER

May the Holy Spirit empower us to persist in doing God’s will even as He rewards and elevates us. Amen.