Staying Where God Calls

Genesis 26:1-5

God’s Promise to Isaac

¹Now there was a famine in the land, besides the former famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Gerar to Abimelech king of the Philistines. ²And the LORD appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you. ³Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you, for to you and to your offspring I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father. ⁴I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, ⁵because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.”

(ESV)

Thought:
Isaac is beginning to travel down to Egypt, a place of fertility even in the driest times due to the ever flowing nature of the nile. Not to say they didn’t struggle, but it was the common sense place to go. But yet God tells him to stay in Canaan that this was the place that God has promised to them to occupy and he would not allow some famine to get in the way of their occupation of the land. So they stay.

Few of us know what it is like to experience true famine, not just drought but famine, lack of food, not just rain. But yet we know this experience in our lives, Isaac had two options, be in the place with little food, but with all of God, or go to the place where food will be but God will not.

We live in a world that prioritises safety and security. Our minds have been molded to pursue that, to chase convenience and to make sure nothing gets in the way of that convenience. That is the way the world pushes to think we can’t go without these things. But yet when the famine arrives what does God tell Isaac he needs. He just needs him and faith in the promise that was given to Abraham.

So often comfort is dependent upon what we can see, how much cash is in the bank, how much grain do I have stored, is the power still on, does woolworths still have groceries in stock?

But one day those things might not be there, you can’t see them. Instead your trust must be placed upon something you can’t see, you don’t trust and lean upon the visible riches and plenty of Egypt, but rather upon the rich promises and faithfulness of God.

God may call you to a place that seems like it cannot provide for you, won’t benefit you, doesn’t hold anything for you, but we use our eyes far too much. Oftentimes if God hasn’t called us somewhere else, we are to trust him and understand he has a reason for us being here. Most of all we are to trust in his promises, that wherever he takes us he is working good things through it all (Romans 8:28) and even though he leads us through valleys of death, he will comfort us and protect us. (Psalm 23:4)

Reflection:
Isaac’s choice was stark: remain in a land with little food but with the full presence and promise of God, or run to Egypt where provision seemed guaranteed but God had not called him. The famine exposed where his trust truly rested.

We often face the same tension. Our world trains us to cling to what feels safe—money, stability, convenience, predictability. Yet God may place us in seasons or locations that appear barren, not to harm us but to teach us that His promises are sturdier than our circumstances. When visible resources dry up, the invisible faithfulness of God becomes our anchor. He calls us to stay, trust, and believe that His purposes are not hindered by scarcity. Where God places us, He sustains us.

Prayer:
Father, teach me to trust Your promises more than my circumstances. When life feels barren or uncertain, keep me from running to the places that seem safer but are outside Your will. Strengthen my faith to remain where You have called me, believing that You provide, protect, and work all things for my good. Lead me by Your word, and let my security rest in You alone. Amen.