[ The Armor of God ] Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6: 10-11.

Do you have your armor on? Beloved, during this current crisis, we need God. Do you know Jesus as your savior?

I remember clearly sitting under a tree and I asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins. I was eleven years old and that day changed my life. Like many others I was at camp.

Fast forward to today, my faith has only grown stronger. In the midst of this crisis, I maintain hope. I treasure God’s word, I’ve hidden it in my heart, I claim the promises of God.

So, sweet friend, do you know you are the beloved of God. Beloved is in the Bible 29 times.

Read with me in Deuteronomy,

About Benjamin he said: “Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.” Deuteronomy 33:12

We are to rest secure in Him. He shields and loves us.

In the hall of faith, the next man is Issac. Issac is Abraham’s son. The promised child. The one that Abraham was willing to sacrifice.

Here is the account of his birth found in Genesis,

Abraham gave the name Isaac^[a] to the son Sarah bore him. ⁴ When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God commanded him. ⁵ Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. Genesis 21: 3-5.

Then we read about Abraham offering Issac as a sacrifice,

Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”

“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.

“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

⁸ Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. Genesis 22: 7-8.

Beloved, Issac was saved. His strengths is that from a young age, he knew about God. His father looked to God for his future and he imparted that knowledge to his son.

However, Issac had some weaknesses, mainly favoritism an later he lies about Rebekah to the King of a foreign country.

Issac’s marriage was arranged, it was a marriage made in heaven. Rebekah was beautiful and the love of his life. Read this in Genesis 24: 62-66. She had a period of infertility but Issac prayed for her and when she finally had children, she had twins. Read Genesis 25: 21-26. She described her pregnancy as if two nations were raging war within her womb.

Issac loves his wife Rebekah and she has two sons. Jacob and Esau. Read with me this verse in Genesis.

The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was content to stay at home among the tents. ²⁸ Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob. Genesis 25:27-28.

The whole story of Esau being the first born is very interesting as he did not value his birthright. He at one time offered to sell it to Jacob for food. Jealousy and greed filled this home.

When Issac was old, Issac hands out the birthright and Rebekah and Jacob trick Issac. Jacob receives the birthright. What normally goes to the first born was given to Jacob by Issac. This caused consternation in the household and a rift between the brothers. Separation of the families became a way of life.

Just as Issac tried to trick the King about Rebekah, he was tricked by his wife and son.

Lessons learned is our words matter, and we need to guard against jealousy. We need to be honest in our relationships even in our business relationships, our friendships, and guard our family against jealousy and falsehoods.

Beloved, reading God’s word, instilling the truth about God in others is what we need to be doing at this time. Guard against jealousy and favoritism.  We are in a crisis in our nation, a crisis of faith. Will you proclaim God’s goodness during this time of trial?

What are you doing to stay close to God? Will you delight in the study of God’s word?

Father God, open up the storehouse of love for your people, we ask that you contain this virus that is causing our country to become ill and some are dying. Lord, we ask just as you did for the children of Israel to keep us safe during this plague. We know that You do not give us a spirit of fear, but a Spirit of love, peace and a sound mind. Keep us safe and help us to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. In Jesus name, Amen