Genesis 26:12-13 – And Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold.  The Lord blessed him, ¹³ and the man became rich, and gained more and more until he became very wealthy.”

Sometimes, a simple word or phrase ignites something powerful in my heart!   In Genesis 25, Esau’s selling his birthright for a meal is revelatory.   Here, we see this battle illustrated and how easily natural cravings can become elevated above the development of the Spirit.

In Genesis 26, we have the revelation of obedience to God; following the Spirit rather than allowing the eyes of the flesh to rule brings God’s blessings.   God commanded Isaac to ignore the natural and be obedient.   He reminded Isaac of how, through obedience, Abraham was blessed in covenant.   In verse 12, it is revealed, “And Isaac sowed IN THAT LAND and reaped IN THE SAME YEAR one hundredfold.  AND Yahweh blessed Him.”   One hundredfold return AND… the blessings for obedience were uncontainable.

To walk in obedience by faith requires total confidence in God.   It transforms us and enables us to joyfully obey regardless of what we see.   The eyes of faith are unmoved by the eyes and cravings of the flesh and the natural.

In Acts 16:25, Paul and Silas were in the dungeon, bound in chains and stocks.  They were examples of transformed lives and complete confidence in God.

Acts 16:25 – “BUT about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, AND the prisoners heard them.”

Think about that.   How we respond to adversity or blessing is our testimony.   The prisoners heard them!   They had no reason in the natural to act that way.  Their confidence and commitment had transformed them.  It was who they were, not some faux pious religious act.  It was who they were.  They didn’t have to manufacture it.  It flowed out of them.

If we live controlled by carnal desire and thought, we will not receive the covenant blessings.  We will fret, fear, grumble, and try to manufacture the right response.  But if we are filled with confidence that God IS, and we are His, we will discover the river inside flowing out of us, and the chains of the flesh will lose their power.  Our testimony will be heard, and the grace of God will touch us and others.

Peace, power, and provision flow to us as we die to ourselves and surrender to Him.   Two dogs are inside us, fighting.  The dog of the flesh and the dog of the Spirit.  The dog that wins is the one we feed the most.   Victory is ours!  Believe it and receive it!

God’s promises are as sure as God Himself, and if He says that He will do something, He will.