“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. 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;”
Genesis 26:3-4 NKJV
“And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for My servant Abraham’s sake.””
Genesis 26:24 NKJV
Isaac was in line to receive the promise G-d made to Abraham because of G-d’s faithfulness, alone. Isaac couldn’t nor did he have to earn it – it was a promise G-d alone would and could fulfill. When G-d made the covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15 and 17, G-d didn’t give an “out” – I’ll do this if you do that. G-d isn’t fickle like we are. We break promises and relationships easily these days – but G-d is the original Promise Keeper. He’s not a man that He should lie (Numbers 29:13) and He fulfills His purposes (Lamentations 2:17).
One more thought – Generational Callings. I believe there are generational blessings and/or callings. In our family specifically, there is a pastoral calling and worshipper anointing. Years ago Grandma Purtell told me that she prayed for someone in her lineage to have her “gift” – the ability to pick up any instrument and play it – and her “call” – the call to worship and to lead others in worship. Those are her words. While some of the children and grandchildren could play and most definitely sing, she told me that she saw her prayers answered in our son, Randal. Today, it’s easy to see that the Purtell family is musically and pastorally inclined. Some of the grandsons preach, one son in law is a pastor, all of 5 of her kids sing incredibly well and play instruments, and several other great grandchildren are musically gifted – point being, music and ministry is in the Purtell “blood”. I believe music, worship, and ministry are a generational blessing / calling on the Purtell lineage. We’re not alone – I know many families, specially my mentor’s family, Pastor Olen, who are FULL of pastors and ministers. There is a clear generational calling.
I share our story to encourage us to look to Him to help us identify His plan and His calling for our family and as a reminder that He will keep His word. G-d keeps His Word and His promises to us because He is just that good!
Father – open my eyes to see the generational blessings I am blind to. Thank you for placing me here for such a time as this. Help me to trust Your plan and Your timing. I’m impatient – but I know You will come, You will keep Your Word, and You will fulfill Your purposes for my life when it’s time. Amen.