Imperfect Abundance

After 3 weeks of Genesis 26, we have learned that God's blessings are always abundant but, by God's design, leave us wanting something more... or Someone more. The chapter opens with Isaac and his family having to move because of a famine in the land. A famine is an obvious indicator of hard times ahead. Sometimes when our conditions change for the "worse" we tend to have thoughts that suggest that maybe God has abandoned us, or He didn't hear our prayers, or He doesn't know what is best for us. For Isaac, God shows up and reminds him of the covenant promises, reminding us that in the midst of hardship and trial, rather than feeling neglected, we should look for God's warning and direction and guidance, remembering His promises.
Isaac follows God's direction and ends up in a place called Gerar, home of the Philistines. Upon arrival, Isaac pulls an "Abraham" and says that his wife is actually his sister, because he fears that they will kill him to get to his wife. Evidently a hot wife is part of the covenant blessings... Isaac has made a BONEHEAD decision; a move so wicked that he is reproved by the King of the Philistines. But in a crazy turn of events, Isaac is blessed. BLESSED! He has protection placed upon him and even more, he reaps a hundredfold in that same year. In our shortsightedness we may ask, "Why can't this happen to me? Why can't I make some boneheaded and sinful decision and end up blessed and protected?" In reality, we should look at Isaac and say, "That sounds a lot like my story. Not only have I never done anything to earn God's blessings, I have done the opposite. I have sinned and made bad decisions, yet God has redeemed me and blessed me abundantly." Isaac's story should not sound so unfamiliar to us.
Throughout the chapter, the ups and downs continue. We see that Isaac is rich, very wealthy, loved and blessed by God, protected by the King's orders, and in possession of flocks, herds, and many servants. It sounds like old Isaac has it pretty good. If this was the whole story, we could say that it seems like God wants us all to live trial-free and charmed lives. But the story continues. On top of all of the things previously listed, Isaac is also envied, despised, and afflicted. His wells have been stopped up with dirt by the spiteful locals. And every time he digs another well, the locals decide that they want it. Ultimately God never promises to deliver us from our trials, but THROUGH them. We can go back to our earliest ancestors of the faith and see that every one of their lives is mixed with blessings and trials. Anyone who tells you that it is going to be different and that God doesn't want you to have any hard times is telling you a very unloving lie. Through each trial your faith becomes harder to break. This is what it means to be proven and authentic in your walk. You cannot expect to grow, mature, and strengthen your faith without trials. God even goes so far as to say, "Do not be surprised when the fiery trial comes upon you, as though something strange were happening to you." Trials are the common means by which God shows us how great He is. But He never leaves us alone in our hard times. He reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
Calvin stated “the blessings of God which pertain to the present earthly life are never pure and perfect, but are mixed with some troubles, lest quiet and indulgence should render us negligent." It would be unloving of God to let us fall in love with this earth. Every trial and every blessing should point us to that time in eternity when we will be in the presence of God, trial free and perfectly blessed. That is where our hope lies.
At the end of the chapter everything really seems to come together. There is peace between them and the King of the Philistines, they are blessed abundantly, there is a new well of water, and there is a feast to celebrate the occasion. This is like the end of the hallmark movie, where everything turns out perfectly. But the chapter doesn't end with verse 33. Verses 34-35 abruptly interrupt the feast with the tidbit of information that Esau married two Hittites and made life bitter for Isaac and Rebekah. Isn't this how it usually is? The relationship problem is taken care of, and there is a financial trial. The financial trial is resolved, and there is a health issue. The health issue stabilizes, and there is a business downfall. The business downfall bounces back and here comes the relationship issue again... And through the ups and downs, God is reminding us to keep our eyes on Him, because ultimately, that is where we will be. Enjoy your imperfect abundance...