Leading In Famine Times

Genesis 26:1-5

King James Version (KJV)

26 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.

² And the Lord appeared unto him, and said, Go NOT down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:
³ 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 sware unto Abraham thy father;
⁴ And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
⁵ BECAUSE that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

                                                 _________________________________

God is into being WITH US in famine. There are thirteen recorded famines in scripture, and they are usually all tied to dependency on God for guidance, provision, and supply. Much like Isaac, there is a spiritual tendency to naturally head to "Egypt" when famine comes. But it was not to be Isaac's prophetic destiny. Famine carries with it the seduction to go down to Egypt. Indeed God uses famine to draw Joseph's brothers into a family reunion in Egypt. He uses famine conditions in the wilderness to test the hearts of the Israelites who were still enamored with Egypt's government slave program. 

Isaac is faced with a choice. He can let his materials do the talking or he can listen to GOD. He chose to listen to God. Ultimately we must all come to this conclusion in Christ: The world is famine. Christ is Living Bread. The world is desert. Christ is the stream, the Living Water. There will come a day, not only when you will leave "Egypt" behind, but "Egypt" will eject you begging you to go as they did with Moses. 

As Next Generation Leaders, let us ever keep Christ, The Way before us, sojourning with Him. Famine Times come to remind us to stay Hungry for His Presence, His Heart, His Life, His Truth. And to lead others to do the same.