SIMILAR EXPERIENCES, DIFFERENT APPROACHES (I)

THE LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE

 

DATE: Friday, 31st July, 2026

 

TOPIC: SIMILAR EXPERIENCES, DIFFERENT APPROACHES (I)

 

MEMORISE

Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to dwell there, for the famine was severe in the land (Genesis 12:10).

 

READ: Genesis 26:1-6

[1]. There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, in Gerar.

[2]. Then the Lord appeared to him and said: “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I shall tell you.

[3]. Dwell in this land, and I will be with you and bless you; for to you and your descendants I give all these lands, and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father.

[4]. And I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed;

[5]. Because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”

[6]. So Isaac dwelt in Gerar.

 

EXPOSITION

Sometimes, relying on past experiences or the advice of others might not resolve your present challenges. Isaac initially planned to respond to famine the same way his father did, by going to Egypt. However, God intervened and instructed him not to follow that path (Gen. 26:2; 12:1 ff). Similarly, we often use our reasoning or past experiences to address problems, forgetting to seek God’s guidance. Yet, a similar situation doesn’t always mean the same solution applies.

Beloved, before making that decision. have you sought the Lord’s direction? In the case of Elimelech, there is no record of him consulting God before relocating his family from Bethlehem to Moab during a famine (Ruth 1: 1-4). Taking matters into our own hands without consulting God often leads to costly mistakes (cf. Prov. 14:12).

Isaac’s obedience to God’s instruction led to an extraordinary harvest he reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the Lord blessed him (Gen. 26:12). Trust the Lord, stay where He has placed you and you too will testify of His goodness and mercy. Cultivate the habit of praying over every decision and allow Him guide your steps.

PREVIOUS DEVOTIONAL

 

PRAYER POINTS

1. Lord Jesus, I repent of taking decisions without Your approval. Please, forgive me.

2. Lord, grant me the grace not to bow to pressures at the expense of Your instruction.

3. Pray that God should bail out brethren who are at the verge of making wrong decisions in any area.

 

SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY:

CACGHB: 708

D L M

 

1. He leadeth, me O blessed thought!

O words with heav’nly comfort fraught!

Whate’er I do, where’er I be,

Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.

 

He leadeth me, He leadeth me!

By His own hand He leadeth me!

His faithful follower I would be,

For by His hand He leadeth me.

 

2. Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,

Sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom,

By waters still, o’er troubl’d sea, –

Still ’tis His hand that leadeth me!

 

3. Lord, I would clasp Thy hand in mine,

Nor ever murmur nor repine

Content, whatever lot I see,

Since ’tis my God that leadeth me!

 

4. And when my task on earth is done,

When, by Thy grace, the vict’ry’s won,

E’en death’s cost wave I will not flee

Since God through Jordan leadeth me.

Amen.

 

EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:

Song of Solomon 6 – 8

 

AUTHOR

CAC Worldwide.

Remain Blessed

 

 

 

 

 

Content Credit: THE LIVING WATER- CAC DAILY DEVOTINAL GUIDE

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