DIFFICULT TIMES

Difficult times

There is a legend about a grandfather clock that stood in a corner for three generations, faithfully ticking off the minutes, hours and days-its means of operation was a heavy weight suspended by a double chain. One of its new owners, believing that an old clock should not bear such a load, released the weight. Immediately the ticking stopped. According to the legend, the clock asked, "Why did you do that?" The owner replied, "I wanted to lighten your burden." "Please put my weight back," replied the clock. "That is what keeps me going."

Gen 26:1-3 “And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar. And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of: Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I swore unto Abraham thy father...”


There was a famine in the land, the very land that God took Abram to, from Ur of the Chaldeans. Isaac was in the will of God likewise Abraham yet there was famine in the land where the Lord located them. Most people presume that problems only come when someone is not in the will of God. They claim that when one is in the will of God everything will work out. Absence of problems does not mean the Lord is pleased neither is presence of problems a sign of God's disfavor. Isaac experienced famine in Canaan (lack of productivity, dryness, no rain, no water, loss of cattle etc. God did not stop the famine from coming but He had directions for next step Isaac was to take.

When situations look difficult and your promised land of milk and honey has become patched do not keep blaming yourself seek the Lord's face and He will direct you. The Lord instructed Isaac not to go to Egypt but to dwell in the land. Let's avoid always running to unbelievers every time we face difficulty in our place of assignment. Do not look back or begin to grumble against God. The Lord's plan towards you is to give you a hope and a future. In this time of global recession let us look to the Lord and trust in His love. Do not run up and down and loose your peace. Jesus said,'My peace I give unto you” Shalom!