Stay
My job keeps me going places to look at different properties to sometimes assess the market value and help the owner know about when to sell and improvements that are needed to make the property more attractive to a buyer. At other times I’m taking buyers to look at different houses to see which home fits their family and their budget. I go a lot. When I’m not on the go I’m usually found at my office. This particular week I’m on vacation at the beach and with my two youngest sons with me, I’m on the go a good bit. As I read the story of Isaac and how the Lord spoke to him as he was about to travel, I was reminded that I need to keep listening for the Lord to tell me when to move. Check this out….
2 The Lord appeared to Isaac and said, ‘Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live. 3 Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham…..
23 From there he went up to Beersheba. 24 That night the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham.’
25 Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of the Lord. There he pitched his tent, and there his servants dug a well. (Genesis 26:2-3; 23-25 NIV)
I was moved by the fact that the Lord told Isaac to stay in that country and he stayed. Then when he moved around, he tried to avoid conflict by digging his own wells to provide water for his whole family and entourage. I really liked the fact that when the Lord appeared to him and told him to not be afraid, Isaac built an alter there and worshipped the Lord.
I think sometimes that my life gets so busy and hectic with all that is happening that I forget to stay in the presence of the Lord. I can move in and out of business and still notice His Presence. Business is another form of “busy-ness”. I have learned that when the Lord says “stay” that I should stay. When He says “move”, I need to get moving. I want to walk in step with Him so closely that He directs my steps whether I’m moving or staying still.
Pressing On!
Dwayne