Genesis 26:23-27: a reflection

23He went up from there to Beersheba. 24The LORD appeared to him the same night, and said, “I am the God of Abraham your father. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you, and will bless you, and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham’s sake.” 25He built an altar there, and called on the LORD’s name, and pitched his tent there. There Isaac’s servants dug a well. 26Then Abimelech went to him from Gerar with Ahuzzath his friend, and Phicol the captain of his army. 27Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me, since you hate me, and have sent me away from you?”

After a time of conflict and moving from place to place, Isaac comes to Beersheba, and there God appears to him with a word of reassurance: I am the God of Abraham your father. Do not be afraid, for I am with you, and will bless you. And Isaac responds: he builds an altar there, calls on the name of the LORD, and pitches his tent. God's promise of his presence answers Isaac's uncertainty, and Isaac meets it with worship.

Notice both God's word and Isaac's response. God's word to Isaac, in a time of conflict and unsettledness, is the assurance of his presence: do not be afraid, for I am with you. And Isaac's response is worship: he builds an altar and calls on God's name. The promise of God's presence dispelled Isaac's fear; and the fitting response to that promise was to worship the God who had spoken it, to build an altar and call on him.

Both are worth taking to heart. God's answer to our fear and uncertainty is often not the removal of our difficulties, but the assurance of his presence: do not be afraid, for I am with you. That presence is the deepest comfort we can have, for if God is with us, we need not fear. And the fitting response to God's presence and promise is worship, calling on his name, as Isaac built his altar. When you are afraid or unsettled, hear God's word to Isaac as his word to you: do not be afraid, for I am with you. Let his promised presence dispel your fear; and respond, as Isaac did, with worship, calling on the name of the God who is with you. His presence is your comfort; meet it with worship.

Lord, after a time of conflict and moving, Isaac came to Beersheba, and you appeared to him with reassurance: do not be afraid, for I am with you, and will bless you; and Isaac responded by building an altar and calling on your name. Take both to my heart. Your answer to my fear and uncertainty is often not the removal of my difficulties, but the assurance of your presence: do not be afraid, for I am with you. That presence is the deepest comfort I can have, for if you are with me, I need not fear. And the fitting response to your presence and promise is worship, calling on your name, as Isaac built his altar. When I am afraid or unsettled, help me hear your word to Isaac as your word to me: do not be afraid, for I am with you. Let your promised presence dispel my fear; and help me respond, as Isaac did, with worship, calling on your name. Your presence is my comfort; help me meet it with worship. Thank you that you are with me.