September 11, 2026; Genesis 26:1-33

Daily Dose of Hope September 11, 2026   Scripture:  Genesis 26:1-33   Prayer:  Holy God, We rejoice and give praise for the ways you care for us.  We rejoice and give praise for how you continue to forgive us and give us second and third chances.  Help us seek lives characterized by your holiness.  Help us seek pure hearts.  Lord, in these next few moments of silence, hear our prayers and help us bring together all our scattered thoughts and focus on you...It's in your name we pray, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently working our way through the book of Genesis.  Today, our reading is the bulk of Genesis 26, through verse 33.   We read in today's chapter that there is a famine in the land so Isaac goes down to Gerar.  Gerar was a town south of Canaan, located in a fertile valley, which makes sense why Isaac would choose that location.  But when he gets there, he does something that will sound very familiar to us.  He tells the local king that Rebekah is his sister!  Like father, like son.  Even though God has promised to protect him, Isaac is still fearful.  How often we fall into the same pattern as our parents.   It's here that we see God's grace.  God blesses Isaac despite himself.  Even after the king finds out that Rebekah is his wife, God ensures that Isaac is blessed and protected.  His flocked multiply.  His wells are plentiful.  He is so very successful that the locals are feeling threatened and he keeps moving around.  He ends up settling in Beersheba, where God reinforces that he is with Isaac and will make his descendants great.    Isaac's success ends up being a witness for the Lord.  Eventually, the king comes and finds him.  He admits that he knows that Isaac is successful because of God Almighty is with him.  It isn't anything that Isaac has done (it's actually despite Isaac).  It's all God.  This leads to Isaac making a covenant of peace with the king.  Again, we see God's hand at work.   How often have you seen God's hand at work in your life, even when you have been disobedient or sinful?  It's amazing to me how God's grace can persist through our mess and stubbornness.    Blessings, Pastor Vicki