Gentle Boldness

Genesis 26: 28-29

And they said, "We see plainly that the Lord has been with you; ... you are now the blessed of the Lord."

God blessed Isaac, in multiplying his crops a hundredfold, and he became wealthy. He continued to grow his wealth, and had so many flocks and herds and servants that the Philistines envied him (26:12-14). 

Then King Abimelek kicked him out of their land, because, "you have become too powerful for us" (v. 16). 

So Isaac moved around until he found land enough to sustain all his wealth without argument with the inhabitants, and prospered even more. 

Meanwhile, King Abimelek came to him, wanting to make a treaty with him, because he recognized God! That the Lord God was the One Who blessed him so greatly. 

May the Lord's blessings on us draw others to know Him also, not just be envious of our prosperity. 

May we be humble in the wealth the Lord showers upon us, in the physical realm, as well as the emotional and relational, and especially the spiritual realms, and even the financial, if so be. May our benefits overflow to the needy, to demonstrate God's love for us all, and His desire to bless us all in His goodness. 

O Father, open doors for us to enter into the regions of this World where the people are desperate for You, and don't know it yet. Lead us to all Your lost sheep, to find them wherever they are lost in the crags and the swamps and the wildernesses where they have wandered and been trapped in the deceits of our societies. Strengthen us and give us gentle boldness to proclaim clearly Your Good News of the wonderful Redemption You offer all of us. 

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!