Understanding God’s Covenant

Introduction

Well, good morning!

If you have a Bible and I hope that you do, open ‘em up with me to the book of Genesis. We’re gonna be in Genesis chapter 26 this morning.

If you remember, over the past two years, we’ve been walking through our Foundations in Genesis series, taking some time to really reflect on how the opening book of the Bible lays the groundwork for our understanding of God, for ourselves…and ultimately the redemptive story that we’re of, right?

In Part 1, two years ago…we explored the first 11 chapters of Genesis which were the creation accounts, the fall, the flood, we saw God’s scattering of humanity at the Tower of Babel. And remember, I talked about how essential it was to see this piece of writing as history, right? Things that actually happened exactly as Moses laid out in this book. It’s like a history book…But with that, I also showed how we see all kinds of themes throughout this book. Especially in the first 11 chapters…we see the fall of man…man’s depravity…sin. And as a result of that, we saw humanity’s need for redemption and God’s sovereign hand in shaping history to bring redemption about through the person and work of Jesus.

Jesus was always the subject and the purpose of Genesis. And listen, that doesn’t change as we continue through this book.

In Part 2, what we explored last year, we followed the life of Abraham, the father of our faith…we followed him as God called him out of Ur and established a covenant with him…a covenant, if you remember, of land, of descendants, blessings for the nations.

And what we saw as we walked through his journey together was a very sinful man that was chosen and protected by God. Abraham demonstrated a lot of the same sinful qualities you and I do…and yet, God showed favor on him…He chose him to receive an inheritance. And we saw, through that whole story, a God whose faithful to His own despite how unfaithful His own are at times toward Him.

It was an incredible story!

And so, as we move into the third part of our Genesis series this morning, we turn our attention to Isaac and Jacob (mostly Jacob as we get a little further)…but these were two sons, two lives shaped by the same covenant promises we saw before…and yet they’re marked by very different stories.

And so, before we begin our journey through the life of Jacob in the coming weeks, we’re gonna pause this week and consider, the often-overlooked life of Issac…Abraham’s promised son, whose another link in the chain of covenant history.

Genesis 26, its actually the only chapter in Genesis that focuses exclusively on Isaac’s life. And listen, in this one chapter, we’ll see a lot of the same things in Isaac’s life…we’ll see that the God of Abraham was just as fully present, just as faithful, just as powerful in Isaac’s life as He was in Abraham’s or even Jacob’s later. The covenant didn’t skip a generation. It endured—because it was based on God’s character, not man’s performance…which is kind of the main idea here. God’s covenant, its not just a promise of blessing—it’s a relationship marked by His continual presence, His protection, provision, peace for those who’ve been set apart by His power alone.

And so, if you’re there with me in Genesis chapter 26, we’re gonna read the first 33 verses together. Would you stand with me as we read from the Word of God? It says this:

Genesis 26:1–33 ESV

Now there was a famine in the land, besides the former famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Gerar to Abimelech king of the Philistines. And the Lord appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you. Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you, for to you and to your offspring I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father. I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.” So Isaac settled in Gerar. When the men of the place asked him about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” for he feared to say, “My wife,” thinking, “lest the men of the place should kill me because of Rebekah,” because she was attractive in appearance. When he had been there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out of a window and saw Isaac laughing with Rebekah his wife. So Abimelech called Isaac and said, “Behold, she is your wife. How then could you say, ‘She is my sister’?” Isaac said to him, “Because I thought, ‘Lest I die because of her.’ ” Abimelech said, “What is this you have done to us? One of the people might easily have lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us.” So Abimelech warned all the people, saying, “Whoever touches this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.” And Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. The Lord blessed him, and the man became rich, and gained more and more until he became very wealthy. He had possessions of flocks and herds and many servants, so that the Philistines envied him. (Now the Philistines had stopped and filled with earth all the wells that his father’s servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father.) And Abimelech said to Isaac, “Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we.” So Isaac departed from there and encamped in the Valley of Gerar and settled there. And Isaac dug again the wells of water that had been dug in the days of Abraham his father, which the Philistines had stopped after the death of Abraham. And he gave them the names that his father had given them. But when Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and found there a well of spring water, the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, “The water is ours.” So he called the name of the well Esek, because they contended with him. Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that also, so he called its name Sitnah (Sit-na). And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth, saying, “For now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.” From there he went up to Beersheba (beer-she-ba). And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of Abraham your father. Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham’s sake.” So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the Lord and pitched his tent there. And there Isaac’s servants dug a well. When Abimelech went to him from Gerar with Ahuzzath (A-her-zat) his adviser and Phicol (Fi-col) the commander of his army, Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me, seeing that you hate me and have sent me away from you?” They said, “We see plainly that the Lord has been with you. So we said, let there be a sworn pact between us, between you and us, and let us make a covenant with you, that you will do us no harm, just as we have not touched you and have done to you nothing but good and have sent you away in peace. You are now the blessed of the Lord.” So he made them a feast, and they ate and drank.

Genesis 26:1–33 ESV

In the morning they rose early and exchanged oaths. And Isaac sent them on their way, and they departed from him in peace. That same day Isaac’s servants came and told him about the well that they had dug and said to him, “We have found water.” He called it Shibah (Shy-ba); therefore the name of the city is Beersheba to this day.

Thank you, you can be seated.

[Prayer]

If you’re taking notes, I have four points for us this morning as we seek to understand God’s covenant with His people. Number 1, we see God’s presence with His servants…Number 2, God’s protection for His servants…Number 3, God’s provision for His servants…and then finally Number 4, God’s peace for His servants…And I promise I wasn’t just trying to find “p” words, it just kind of worked out like that.

But, if you have your Bible open, your pen and notes ready…let’s dive into this first point together.

I. God’s Presence with His servants (vv. 1-6)

God’s presence with His servants.

Let’s look again at verse 1:

"Now there was a famine in the land, besides the former famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Gerar to Abimelech king of the Philistines."

So here’s the scene—this isn't Isaac’s first rodeo with hardship. It’s a generational echo. A famine—just like the one Abraham faced, in you remember, back in chapter 12. And just like his father before him, Isaac is faced with a decision. “Where do I go? What do I do when the resources run dry, when the land that was supposed to be a promise feels more like a threat?”

Look at what God says in verses 2–3:

"And the Lord appeared to him and said, 'Do not go down to Egypt (Remember what his dad did); dwell in the land of which I shall tell you. Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you…'"

That’s the first thing we’ve got to sit with today—God’s presence. Before Isaac gets a single instruction about what to do, he’s given a promise: I will be with you. Not I’ll make it easy…not you’ll be comfortable…but I’ll be with you.

This is covenant language. It’s relational. It’s personal. It's the same God who walked with Abraham, who stayed faithful in famine, in failure, in fear. And now, He comes to Isaac and essentially says, “You’re not on your own. My presence isn’t dependent on the climate. I’m not seasonal. I’m with you.”

And listen guys, that’s where we begin. The presence of God is the defining reality of the covenant. Not our strength. Not our wisdom. Not even our obedience. God is with us.

William Philip (he’s a Scottish preacher), he said: “The great truth of Scripture is not that we can find God, but that God makes Himself known and dwells with His people.”

We don’t have to climb our way to God. He comes to us. Even in famine. Even in fear.

And look what He says again in verse 3:

“Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you…”

Now that word “sojourn,” its interesting because it means to dwell temporarily, like a traveler or a foreigner…In other words: “You’re not gonna be putting down permanent roots here, Isaac. But even in the tent, even in the wandering, even when nothing feels settled—I am.”

You see what God’s doing here? He’s teaching Isaac something foundational: His presence doesn’t depend on Isaac’s position. Not on his location. Not even on his performance. God’s not bound by geography. He doesn’t only show up in Canaan. He doesn't abandon you when you get to Gerar. He’s with His people wherever they go.

That’s the pattern we’ve seen from Eden, to the ark, to the tent of meeting in Exodus. God is always present with His people—even when they forget, even when they fear, even when they fail.

And maybe that’s a word for some of you this morning. Maybe the land you're standing in doesn’t feel like promise—it feels like famine. It’s dry. You’re worn out. The provision hasn’t come. You’re tempted to run to Egypt…to fix it your way.

But listen: don’t mistake God’s silence or your suffering as His absence.

As Alistair Begg (another great Scottish preacher), he put it this way, “The presence of God is not the guarantee of a trouble-free life; it’s the guarantee that you will never be alone in the trouble.”

Guys, that’s the gospel promise. God with us. And we know the fulfillment of that promise in Immanuel—Jesus—who didn’t just stay distant but entered the famine of our humanity. Who lived the sojourner’s life perfectly and took on the ultimate wilderness of the cross so that we could know His presence forever.

But here's where the text shifts—and this is where the application really becomes apparent.

Verse 4 and 5, God reiterates His promises to Abraham…I’m gonna multiply your offspring…I’m gonna give you a land…through you I’m gonna bless the world…but look at verse 6:

"So Isaac settled in Gerar."

God said “sojourn”—Isaac settled.

Did you catch that?

God said, “Dwell temporarily,” and Isaac set up shop. He camped out. He started making decisions that showed maybe he was getting a little too comfortable in a place he was only supposed to pass through.

We’ll see in the next verses (we’ll get there in just a moment) that his fear begins to lead to sin. He repeats the same deception his father did—lying about Rebekah being his sister. Why? Because fear always thrives where faith grows passive.

And yet—even there—God was with him.

Not just in the calling. Not just in the covenant. But even in his compromise.

This is so important to understand. God’s presence doesn’t mean we get a free pass on our disobedience. It means we’re never out of His reach—whether we’re walking in faith or running in fear.

Matt Chandler said it like this: “God’s not just with you when you’re killing it spiritually—He’s with you when you’re blowing it too. And that’s not an excuse to sin—it’s a reason to repent.”

God’s presence is both comfort and confrontation. It’s the arm around your shoulder and its the voice that calls you back to Himself. He’s not distant when you drift—He’s near. And His nearness calls you out of hiding.

So let me ask you: Where are you sojourning?—And listen, where have you settled? Where has God said, “Trust Me,” and you’ve said, “I’ll take it from here”?…Where are you trying to escape from the famine rather than remain in the land He’s called you to?

Because here’s the hope: If you belong to Jesus, He’s with you. In the famine. In the fear. In the place you didn’t choose. In the place you’re tempted to leave. He hasn’t forgotten you. He hasn’t walked out. And He never will.

But also hear this: He’s with you even in the failure. Even when you’ve lied. Even when you’ve compromised. Even when you’ve sinned.

His presence is not permission—but it is persistent.

God’s grace, it meets us where we are, not where we ought to be.

And that’s the tension of the gospel. His presence comforts us, but guys, it corrects us. He doesn’t leave us where we are—He leads us back to Himself.

So be encouraged this morning: He is with you. Always. But also be exhorted: Don’t take His presence lightly. Don’t confuse His patience with approval. Turn to Him again today—because He hasn’t gone anywhere.

Let’s keep moving into the next verses—but hold that thought: God’s covenant presence is constant…even when our faith isn’t.

II. God’s Protection for His Servants (vv. 7-11)

Point number 2, God’s protection for His servants.

So right after we read that Isaac settled in Gerar, even though God told him to sojourn, we get this very familiar scenario. Genesis 26, verse 7:

"When the men of the place asked him about his wife, he said, 'She is my sister,' for he feared to say, 'My wife,' thinking, 'lest the men of the place should kill me because of Rebekah,' because she was attractive in appearance."

Now if that sounds familiar, it should. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this exact lie.

Abraham told the same lie. Twice. Once in Egypt (Genesis 12), and then again with Abimelech in Genesis 20. And now here’s Isaac—walking in the footsteps of his father’s fear.

And guys, let me be honest—sin is oftentimes more hereditary than we’d like to admit…That’s a separate sermon…but mom and dad, you need to be real with that.

The promise of God was still fresh on Isaac’s ears—"I will be with you... I will bless you..."—and yet here he is, abandoning truth for self-preservation. He’s afraid, and so he lies. He uses deception to protect himself instead of depending on the God who already promised to protect him.

Guys, we’re quick to forget in the dark what God told us in the light.

That’s what’s happening here. Isaac forgets what he was just told—and rather than trust the presence of God, he takes matters into his own hands. We’ve seen this before…we’ve seen where it leads.

But listen, before we judge too quickly here—let’s look in the mirror. How many times have we done the same?

God tells us He’ll provide…but we manipulate a situation to feel more secure.

God says He’s with us…but we lie to avoid discomfort.

God says we’re safe in His hands…but we still try to control the outcome.

This is what fear does. It turns us inward. It makes us suspicious. It makes us doubt whether God’ll really show up. And when that fear isn’t surrendered—it leads us into sin.

But here's the remarkable thing—and it’s what makes this passage so humbling:

Even in Isaac’s sin, God protects Isaac.

Look at verse 8:

"When he had been there a long time (don’t miss that…they had been there a long time), Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out of a window and saw Isaac laughing with Rebekah his wife."

Now, let’s pause right there. The word “laughing” in the original Hebrew likely has romantic or even intimate undertones—it’s the kind of body language that lets the king know instantly: This isn’t your sister, right?

So Abimelech calls Isaac out. Verse 9:

"Behold, she is your wife. How then could you say, ‘She is my sister’?”

And Isaac, just like Adam in the garden, just like his dad, he shifts the blame toward fear:

“Because I thought, ‘Lest I die because of her.’”

Now let’s be real: fear isn’t an unreasonable emotion here. He’s in a foreign land, surrounded by people who might not value life the way he does.

But listen—fear is a terrible master. And when we allow fear to govern our actions, we almost always compromise our faithfulness.

And yet here’s the grace: God doesn’t abandon him.

Instead, God uses a pagan king—a foreign, Philistine ruler—to protect His chosen servant.

Verse 11:

"So Abimelech warned all the people, saying, 'Whoever touches this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.'"

That’s divine protection. Not because Isaac was faithful, but because God was faithful to His covenant.

Alistair Begg put it this way: “The safety of God’s people, it never rests in their performance, but in His promises.”

God protects Isaac despite Isaac. Despite the lie. Despite the fear. Despite the sin.

This isn’t permission to sin. This is proof that God’s grace is stronger than our failure.

I read a story a while back about a dad walking his little boy through a crowded fairground. The child was gripping his dad’s hand tightly—but then suddenly, the boy saw something he wanted…he let go, and he got lost in the crowd. Panic set in. The boy couldn’t see anything…But his dad never lost sight of him. He came rushing in, picked him up, carried him back.

Guys that’s exactly what this passage reminds us of. Isaac let go—but God didn’t. Isaac lost sight—but God never did. He protected him from destruction, even when he walked right into danger.

So what do we do with that?

First, be encouraged—your failure doesn’t forfeit God’s protection. If you belong to Him—if you’ve been brought into covenant by the blood of Christ—then you’re His. And He will guard you, even in your weakness. Even when you blow it.

Why? Because as this passage says over and over again that God did these things because He remembered His servant Abraham…He does the same for us, because He remembers His Son Jesus!

William Philip, he reminds us: “God’s covenantal commitment is not fragile. It doesn’t snap under the weight of our stumbles. It endures because it rests on Him.”

That’s the hope we hold onto.

But let me also exhort you—don’t test His grace.

The fact that God protects us in our sin should never lead us to take sin lightly. Isaac was spared, but that doesn’t mean his deception was harmless. Think about what could’ve happened if God hadn’t intervened. Think about how many of us carry scars because we trusted in fear over faith.

Just because God steps in doesn’t mean our disobedience didn’t matter.

So hear this clearly: God protects His people—but He also disciplines them. He loves us too much to let us remain in patterns of fear and sin.

So what do we do?

We repent.

We stop justifying the lie. We stop using fear as an excuse. And we come back to the truth that God is our shield. He’s our defender.

He’s not just present—He’s active. He watches. He intervenes. He protects.

So this week, when you’re tempted to lie, or to cover up, or to manipulate to stay safe—remember that your safety doesn’t rest on your strategy. It rests on your Shepherd.

And He’s a good one.

God protects His own—not because they deserve it—but because He delights to keep covenant with them.

III. God’s Provision for His Servants (vv. 12-22)

Point number 3, God’s provision for His servants.

Verse 12:

“And Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. The Lord blessed him.”

Now don’t miss that—in that land…What land? The land where there had just been famine. The land of uncertainty. The land of fear. The land where he had lied, and stumbled, nearly jeopardized everything. It was that land where the Lord provided.

And notice—it wasn’t just a little provision. He reaped a hundredfold. That’s not normal. That’s not natural. That’s miraculous. A hundredfold crop was unheard of in ancient agriculture. This was God making it abundantly clear: “I provide for My people not based on their perfection but based on My promise.”

This blessing wasn’t Isaac’s reward for obedience—it was a reflection of God’s covenantal generosity. The same God who promised to be with him in verse 3 now shows His hand through very tangible provisions. Crops. Livestock. Servants. Wealth. It says in verse 13:

“The man became rich, and gained more and more until he became very wealthy.”

But as God’s blessing grows, so does the envy of the world. Look at verse 14:

“So the Philistines envied him.”

That’s always the tension of God’s provision. The world notices. The favor of God often provokes opposition. And that’s exactly what happens next.

The Philistines begin to sabotage Isaac’s inheritance. Verse 15 says they filled in the wells that Abraham’s servants had dug. These weren’t decorative garden wells—these were lifelines. In the ancient Near East, a well was survival. You cut off a well, you cut off a future.

And then, in verse 16, Abimelech tells him:

“Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we.”

So Isaac’s pushed out—blessed, but exiled. Provided for, yet opposed.

But what’s Isaac do next? He doesn’t fight. He doesn’t retaliate. He doesn’t launch a counterattack or play victim.

Verse 17:

“So Isaac departed from there and encamped in the Valley of Gerar and settled there.”

He moves quietly. Humbly. Obediently. And then—verse 18:

“And Isaac dug again the wells of water that had been dug in the days of Abraham his father...”

You see what he’s doing? He’s reclaiming what was already his by promise. He’s reopening the legacy of faith. He’s living as one who trusts in the provision of God—not in the praise of men.

And here’s what’s so fascinating: every time he digs, someone tries to steal it.

Verse 20 — Esek, because they quarreled.

Verse 21 — Sitnah, same story.

But then verse 22 — Rehoboth. Finally, peace. Space. Provision without conflict.

And here’s what Isaac says in verse 22:

“For now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.”

What changed?…Nothing outward. Same soil. Same enemies. But in God’s timing, provision came with peace.

There’s a story about George Müller, he’s a 19th-century pastor known for running orphanages purely by prayer and faith. But one morning, they had no food, no money, dozens of children expecting breakfast. Müller sat them down, thanked God for the food that hadn’t arrived yet—and moments later, a baker knocked on the door saying he couldn’t sleep and felt God tell him to bake extra bread. Then a milk cart broke down outside, and the milkman gave them all his product before it spoiled.

Müller said later, “The Lord gives what’s needed, when it’s needed, as long as it’s needed.”

That’s the spirit of Genesis 26. Isaac wasn’t self-made. He was God-kept.

And so, what’s this show us about God today? What’s it mean for us?

First, be encouraged: God sees what you need before you ask. He provides in famine. He blesses in dry seasons. And He does it not because you’ve earned it—but because He’s faithful to His name.

As William Philip writes, “God’s provision is not a reward for performance, but a demonstration of His covenant mercy.”

So if you're in a season where you're sowing and seeing no harvest—don't give up. The God who provided a hundredfold in famine is still the same today.

But also—be exhorted. Notice what Isaac did in the waiting: he kept digging. He didn’t sit back and wait for wells to fall from the sky. He got his hands dirty. He returned to the old paths. He reopened what had been buried.

And so, maybe that’s your step today. Maybe God’s already given you access to the well—but you’ve stopped digging. You’ve let discouragement or delay talk you into passivity. Or maybe you're tempted to chase provision your own way—on your own terms.

Hear me: Don't substitute hustle for trust. Keep digging. Keep praying. Keep obeying. The Lord will provide—but in His time, not yours.

So rest in this: God’s provision will never run dry for those who walk by faith. He may not give you everything you want, but He’ll always give you everything you need to follow Him.

And when He does, may we, like Isaac, declare: “The Lord has made room for us.”

Amen?

IV. God’s Peace for His Servants (vv. 23-33)

Point number 4, God’s peace for His servants.

Verse 23:

“From there he went up to Beersheba. And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, ‘I am the God of Abraham your father. Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham’s sake.’”

For who’s sake? My servant Abraham’s sake, right?

Now I want you to pay attention to this—God speaks before anything else happens. Before Isaac does anything, God reminds him:

“I am with you… fear not.”

Its reassurance, right? And listen, God’s not just reaffirming His covenant promises—He’s reaffirming His heart toward Isaac. That’s the root of real peace—not just in the removal of problems, but in the nearness of God.

And look at Isaac’s response here…verse 25:

“So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the Lord and pitched his tent there. And there Isaac’s servants dug a well.”

Did you catch the order?

He worshiped (he built an altar),

He called on the name of the Lord,

He remained in the place he was (it says he pitched his tent),

He prepared for life (he dug a well).

Peace doesn’t make us passive—it moves us to worship. It’s not just about relief from conflict. It’s about confidence in God’s character. Isaac isn’t just surviving anymore—he’s abiding.

And right after this act of worship and trust, look at who shows up. Verse 26:

“When Abimelech went to him from Gerar with Ahuzzath (A-her-zat) his adviser and [with] Phicol (Fi-Col) the commander of his army…”

Now if you’re Isaac, this looks like trouble, right? This is the same group that kicked you out…But this time, instead of bringing conflict, they come seeking a covenant of peace.

Look at verse 28:

“We see plainly that the Lord has been with you.”

Well, that’s a testimony, right? The watching world noticed the presence and the favor of God on Isaac’s life—even after failure, and famine, and fear. And they say: “‘Let there be a sworn pact between us… that you’ll do us no harm… You’re now the blessed of the Lord.’”

And so, what’s Isaac do? I love this…this is the heart of God’s people. Isaac doesn’t hold a grudge. He doesn’t seek revenge.

Verse 30:

“So he made them a feast, and they ate and drank.”

He responds with hospitality, not hostility. That’s the fruit of peace. When you know God is your defender, you don’t have to be defensive. You can bless even those who once wronged you. When you’ve been impacted by grace, you can’t help but extend that same grace to others. And remember, extending grace, it means extending something to someone they don’t deserve. Meaning, if you’re gonna show grace, its typically gonna be to people that’ve hurt you or wronged you.

And then, verse 32…God provides one more time:

“That same day Isaac’s servants came and told him about the well they had dug and said to him, ‘We have found water.’”

God’s peace and provision, they oftentimes go hand in hand, right? And Isaac names the place “Shibah (Shy-ba),” which means “oath” or “seven”—a reminder of covenant and completion.

And listen, this city—Beersheba—it becomes a significant location for generations to come. Why? Because it’s a place where God’s peace met Isaac’s obedience.

And so, what’s all this mean for us today?

Peace isn’t the absence of enemies or conflict. It’s the presence of God in the midst of enemies.

Peace isn’t circumstantial—it’s covenantal. It’s not found in our performance or perfection. It’s found in knowing:

“I am with you… fear not.”

Like Isaac, we may walk through famine, or failure, or frustration—but the God who walked with Abraham walks with us still…and that God, He remembers Jesus! And for that reason, He’s faithful to us!

Through Jesus, we have the ultimate covenant of peace. Ephesians 2:14 says:

“For He Himself is our peace…”

And so when fear rises, when conflict comes, when wells run dry—remember:

His presence is with you

His protection, it covers you

His provision is enough

His peace, it surpasses all understanding

And so, as we come to a close in Genesis 26 today, don’t just walk away with information—walk away with invitation: To trust God more deeply. To worship Him more freely. To wait on Him more patiently. To walk in peace more confidently.

Let’s be people who declare with our lives:

“The Lord has made room for us…and we shall be fruitful in the land.”

Closing

Would you bow your head and close your eyes with me?

Listen, as Wendy comes back up, I just wanna leave you with this.

We’ve seen Isaac’s story very clearly this morning—God’s not distant. He’s not passive. He’s not waiting for us to get it all together before He moves toward us.

He’s present. He protects. He provides. He offers peace.

But listen—those blessings, they’re only found within His covenant. And so I wanna speak to two groups of people this morning.

First—to those that follow Jesus.

Maybe today you’ve realized you’ve been living like Isaac in Gerar—settling in places you were only meant to pass through. Maybe fear has led you into compromise. Maybe you've been trying to secure your own peace through your own plans.

Hear this: God hasn’t left you. But He’s calling you back. Not just to believe in His promises—but to trust in His presence. To repent of the places you’ve settled, and to walk again by faith. Remember He’s trustworthy…He’s faithful…And His covenant with you, it began through His power and it’s held today together by His effort…just like Abraham, just like Isaac!

And so, let me ask you—where do you need to surrender today? Where do you need to start digging again in faith? Where do you need to stop pretending and just come home to the God who already knows and still says, “Fear not, for I am with you”?

Would you do that this morning?

But second—I’d be doing you a disfavor if I didn’t speak to the unbeliever this morning.

If you’re here and you’ve never entered into this covenant relationship with God through Jesus…Can I tell you something?

All of God’s presence, all of His protection, all of His provision and peace—they’re not earned. They’re offered.

Offered to anyone who’ll turn from sin and trust in Christ. Jesus, He’s the true and better Isaac—the Son who never sinned, who trusted the Father perfectly, who walked into the famine of this world and died to bring us into the land of promise.

The invitation today is this: Come to Jesus. Not when you clean up. Not when you feel spiritual. But right now. In your famine. In your fear. In your failure. Understand you’re a sinner…understand that your sin leads to death…understand there’s nothing you can do about that…But know this, that God, through Jesus, offers peace and reconcilation for those that’ll repent and believe.

He’s not waiting for you to dig your way up to Him. He’s already come down to you. The cross is the proof. The empty tomb is the promise. And listen, His arms are open right now.

And so, whether you need to repent or believe, or just fall into the arms of grace again—do that as we respond in worship.

By His effort alone, God’s covenant still stands. And guys, His presence is here with us right now.

You take this time, and then when you’ve had a moment to prepare your heart, we’ll gather around the table in just a moment.

[Prayer]

Matthew 26:26 (ESV)

Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”

Matthew 26:27–29 (ESV)

And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”