Connections2

Years later Isaac encounters the same obstacle
as did his father. However, each dealt with the
obstacle in different ways. Abraham chose to turn
back from the famine into a land full of resources.
[Gen. 12:10]. Isaac, after hearing God’s voice
chose to remain in the famine as a directive from
God. [Gen. 26:2,3,6] Though the choices of these
two men differed greatly the end results were both
good. God blessed them both. [Gen. 13:1,2;
Gen. 26:12,13]

    So, now the question we entertain in our
personal crisis is- “What do I do now?” When
we've reached an impasse, an obstacle along the
path God has laid out for us, which way do we
turn, what do we do? Do we retreat from the
obstacle, allowing the crisis to blow over before
we proceed, or do we stay in the crisis patiently
awaiting God’s blessing and deliverance?

I suggest to you that your answer lies in hearing
God’s voice. For some the answer will be to
retreat from the crisis to a place of resources and
provision. This is not to say- ignore the crisis- for
all crises should be dealt with. But it is to say that
for some, before proceeding, dwelling in a place
of resource and provision will be in order. For
others the answer will be to remain in the crisis
standing still to see the salvation of the Lord. The
key is in following God’s voice. Only God has the
answer for your situation.

    When you hit a bump in the road and you
don’t know what to do next I challenge you to
seek His face, listen for His voice, and follow His
direction.* Isaiah 30:21 says "And thine ears
shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the
way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand,
and when ye turn to the left." Hearing and
heeding God’s voice is crucial for living the life
that He designed for you.

*Review God's Voice Part One

                                 By, Stephanie Elzy, 3/6/07

         Remember the previous article in which I
talked about my experience of hearing God’s
voice? I was at a crossroad in my life and made a
hasty decision of which I thought was the will of
God although I had not earnestly sought His will
nor listened attentively for His voice. Well it was
during that time I realized that my life tends to run
in stages, or even cycles if you will. Just when I
think I’m smooth sailing towards pursuing His
will for my life an obstacle presents itself. Yet,
even though I become afraid and frustrated by
these obstacles, the Spirit of God encourages me
to continue pressing on.

     The challenge then becomes knowing what to
do and which way to go to proceed beyond the
obstacle. I am not alone though. Both Abraham
and Isaac encountered challenges in their walk
with God. In fact, they encountered the same
challenge, but made two very different choices in
response to the challenge. Read Genesis 12:1-
10 paying particular attention to verse ten. Now
read Genesis 26:1-6 giving close attention to
verse six.

     Both Abraham and Isaac were endeavoring to
live the lives God designed for them. Abraham,
having heeded God’s call to leave his kindred and
home to go to a place unknown, the place God
would show him [Gen. 12:1] is soon flailed by
famine. I imagine that Abraham must have felt
some frustration and disappointment when he
considered the fact that he was being obedient to
God yet famine now threatened his family. It was
an obstacle along the way of pursuing God’s will.
What should he do now?