Driven to The Wrong Relief

Laugh at me while I laugh at myself! In ways, I’m just like my parents. I can be a bit impulsive – you know, it seems like the natural thing to do, so I do it. That’s not always a good reason or plan.

But when we face a basic need going unmet, we, like Abraham’s son Isaac, can be driven to the wrong source for relief. When that happens, think again. God may have other plans (Gen 26:1-11).

1. Famines test our faith and reaffirm God’s promises (1-5)

• (1) When a basic need is unmet, what is your source of relief? What dad did? Everyone does? Outward pressure can create inward pressure that produces an environment for bad decisions.

• (2-5) Our trials and temptations are tests of our faith – who / what do I really trust? Issac reacted like dad but also listened to God like dad. His faith was imperfect but also in process.

• Most of us didn’t grow up around God’s word and believing churches. Our parents / role models were imperfect. But like Isaac, when we have children, it’s our turn to do better.

• When it seems like “The natural thing to do,” think again. God may have other plans. We won’t escape tests of life, but we have Jesus and His promises during them (Rom 8:28, Isa 43:1-5).

2. Fears reveal our faith and run the risk of repeating our parent’s propensities (6-11)

• Faith always asks a question: Do you trust me? Belief is our response. Our faith can’t be trusted until it is tested. It’s Isaac’s turn. Temptation is our opportunity for good or bad.

• “The friendly outstretched hand of the world is stained with Jesus’ blood”. God will bring us assurance to trust His promises while giving us opportunity through our circumstances.

• As our faith grows, famines and trials expose our weakness and drive us to Jesus (Rom. 5:1-5). Don’t focus on or follow what dad did unless what he did was to believe and trust God.

• (7-10) Why do we lie? God affirmed his promises (2-5), but Isaac chose his way instead of God’s. He had “a better plan”. When our sin is exposed as a result, it’s not God’s fault.

• The “technicality” we trust delivers a package of lies to those who watch our faith. God exposes us when we “let our guard down” – for our good. Trust in God’s word is a better plan. Wisely, Isaac confesses and therefore God blesses (v. 11, Pro. 28:13).

The parent’s weakness is often repeated in the child. Don’t laugh! Doing the “natural thing” isn’t a good plan, so think again. Jesus meets the unmet needs. Why not confess and trust Him instead?

Taking The Message Home: [Find Corresponding 2-Minute Videos Here]

1. Where are you like your parents? List the propensities you’ve inherited from your parents then compare them to God’s word and pray. Is genuine faith influencing you or fear? Why?

2. What unmet need are you facing that impulsively drives you to the natural thing to do? List the ways it might not be a good plan or God’s plan. Now write what you can do instead.

3. Write the lies are you living right now that God will eventually expose. Maybe you’re deliver-ing the world a package of lie on some technicality. Believe Pro. 28:13 and do it.