Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him. And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great ~ Genesis 26:12-13.
Introduction
Life becomes exciting when it’s dotted with supernatural breakthroughs. Contrariwise, failure, poverty and stagnation can actually breed stubborn and complicated troubles for anyone here on earth.
Success is sweet; failure can be bitter and very brutal! Poverty kills ingenuity, engenders inferiority complex, destroys influence, demeans testimonies and curtails progress. Most despicably, stagnation inherently frustrates even starry potentials.
Largely today, the economy is in bad shape in many quarters. The sociopolitical life is generally looking down, and many people find themselves in terrible situations on many fronts. Suffering and struggling to barely survive, they have resigned to eating their bread without butter!
Nevertheless, I dare to say that there is a better way to live: on a thriving mode, whereby we can make progress in life despite all the circumstances.
On a thriving mode, you don’t struggle to survive because the abundant life of God in Christ works in you, for you and through you (John 10:10). You thrive by grace without rigour, and soar to greater heights without flapping.
Yes indeed, there’s a room on earth, large enough, for all men to flourish and be fruitful. Not all men have located the path that leads there, though. There’s also a River, which carries believers on the course of progress and gladness (Psalm 46:4)! You won’t miss it, in Jesus name!
Remarkable Milestones In the Life of Isaac
In Genesis 26:1-33, I observed three remarkable milestones in Isaac’s journey of destiny: the survival mode, the ample supply mode, and the Rehoboth prosperity mode. Let’s study these modes in closer details.
Isaac had just replaced Abraham as the heir of God’s covenant upon the earth when famine “rushed” to welcome him. He was in a survival mode then, just barely keeping his head above the waters of adversity!
Yes, famine and drought are not new phenomena upon the earth (Genesis 12:1-2). To experience a problem is not the real problem; knowing how to truly overcome it is the principal matter.
Isaac made personal moves to help himself out of the circumstance; he went unto Gerar. But, things went very awry. He was laden with trials, and he became confused and frightened to the point that he started denying his wife.
However, God still showed him mercy by visiting him with comfort and direction, and moving him forward to the ample supply stage of his life. He reaped a hundred-fold return, waxed great, and grew till he became very great. His flock increased, and he also had many servants.
Mark it please, this is the stage of life we, oftentimes, erroneously refer to as prosperity. Yes, it’s a product of the Lord’s blessing, but, it’s just a preliminary stage towards real prosperity.
There are perils and pitfalls aplenty at this stage: envy, jealousy, severe criticism, injury, contention, hatred, strife, hostility and ostracization. Certainly, it will require the greater mercy of God for any man to have plenty of water in the midst of drought without strife.
The next remarkable level in Isaac’s journey of destiny was accessed in Rehoboth, where a thousand-times fold blessing and more were made available for him (Deuteronomy 1:11).
Here, Isaac just truly located the real place where God had earmarked for him, and he dwelt there in peace. He went up and was growing incredibly to the point that even his enemies, the Phillistines, recognized the strong hands of the Lord upon his life and sought him out for his favour.
See, as a child of God, re-created in Christ, He designated you for a wholesome satisfaction. He gave you a covenant authority to resist any yoke of stagnation, and to make progress, prosper and fulfill your destiny on earth (Luke 10:19). You won’t die a disappointment, in Jesus Name.
Annotating The Invisible Turning Points For Isaac!
In order to access a “Rehoboth prosperity”, one must get God first (Genesis 1:1; Matthew 6:33). This was the major starter for Issac! Never despise your present estate, whatever it may be (Job 8:7). Rather, allow the Lord to always guide your everyday life and strengthen your vision for a comprehensive breakthrough.
Long ago, King David indicated that God is not just “a” factor for any human success; He is “the” factor for our success and breakthrough (Psalm 127:1).If you love gold more than God, you cannot go far in life.
Secondly, Isaac was very receptive to God’s Word. God told him: “Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of”. This connotes a sense of systematic guidance, which taught Isaac that “going to Egypt” was akin to “going down”.
When we’re wise enough to embrace God’s instruction, direction, guidance, edification, encouragement and comfort, we can’t but enjoy His wonderful breakthrough.
Thirdly, Isaac showed obedience: he dwelt in the land as God instructed. Little can become much when God’s pleasure is attracted to it (Ezekiel 36:35). Let’s be royal and regal, but also disciplined, principled and obedient to God in all things.
A man is rich in proportion to the degree of his obedience to God’s instructions. To demonstrate your obedience, you must be liberal also, sowing into the covenant land and laying down readily anything at anytime for the work of God.
A stingy person cannot prosper in life no matter how anointed he looks. When you are rich towards God, you will always attract His covenant blessings: “A man's gift maketh room for him ….” (Proverbs 18:16).
For the avoidance of speculations, the “gift” here refers to your talents, treasures, influences, time, glory, social positions and peculiar endowments. When you cheerfully lay them down on God’s Altar to advance the course of His kingdom, you can be very sure that He won’t owe you.
Furthermore, you must connect to your heavenly appointed “prophet” to make a satisfactory progress on earth (2 Chronicles 20:20b). Isaac stood on the shoulder of his father Abraham, and was blessed for Abraham’s sake.
Stop the temptation of thinking you are too self-sufficient to follow this spiritual protocol. Cultivate a teachable spirit, and be humble so that you will not stumble.
Again, Isaac was strong, rugged and courageous. You must be so to thrive on earth. Life is not a “fun-fare”, it’s a “warfare”. You must be bold and daring, developing a lion’s heart, and insisting on the victory of the Cross, to enjoy your lion’s share.
Additionally, always please keep in mind that sin is a deflator of the tyres of progress. Be holy and focused. Don’t be busy here and there. Stay on your heavenly vision, fan it to flame and don’t let sin or distractions put off the flame.
Always remember also that Isaac persisted on his journey to Rehoboth. He dug up the wells again and again. There is a great “mine” in the land of the covenant. Be excited, be cheerful, and be joyful to constantly refresh your lots there.
Friends and brethren, your story is still being written, don’t write off yourself. Never mind whatever any devil may ever do against you, dig again. Even if the circumstances of life threaten to stop your well, rejoice in the Lord and dig it again.
As I see it, sooner than later, you will strike through to your “Rehoboth prosperity”, by the power of He who is “More Than Enough”, and Who also owns all things (Psalms 24:1)! You won’t miss this, in the precious Name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Happy Sunday!
** Bishop Taiwo Akinola,
Rhema Christian Church,
Otta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Connect with Bishop Akinola via these channels:
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Twitter: www.twitter.com/bishopakinola
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bishopakinola
