Genesis 26: Students

The Power of Patience

Genesis 26:12-13 (New Living Translation):
"When Isaac planted his crops that year, he harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the Lord blessed him. He became a very rich man, and his wealth continued to grow."

You've probably heard the phrase "patience is a virtue." Whether it's waiting for a text back, the end of the school year, or the start of your dream career, the period of waiting can sometimes feel unbearable. This is a common experience in our teenage years when everything feels immediate and urgent.

The story of Isaac in Genesis 26, however, gives us a glimpse of the benefits of patience. After obeying God and staying put in Gerar, Isaac plants his crops. His reward didn't come immediately, but when harvest time came, he reaped a hundredfold because the Lord blessed him.

This is not to say that everything you wait for will yield you hundredfold returns, but the essence of patience is to trust in God's perfect timing. Just as Isaac had to wait for his crops to grow, you too might have to wait for the fruits of your hard work, obedience, and trust in God.

Pause & Pray:

1. Pray for patience to trust in God's timing and His plan for your life.
2. Ask God to give you the strength to continue in obedience even when immediate results are not evident.
3. Thank God for His faithfulness in the past, and His promised faithfulness in the future.