Trusting God: The Power of Obedience and Blessing

Devotional

Day 1: Obedience Plants the Seed, God Gives the Increase

When Isaac found himself in the midst of famine, he chose to obey God’s instruction and planted seed in barren soil, trusting that God would fulfill His promise despite the impossible circumstances. This act of faith was not about the physical seed alone, but about sowing obedience even when it made no sense to the world around him. God responded to Isaac’s obedience by bringing an abundant harvest, demonstrating that when we trust and obey, God is the one who brings the increase. The principle is clear: our role is to plant the seed of obedience, and God’s role is to provide the blessing, often in ways and times we cannot predict. [31:06]

Genesis 26:12-13 (ESV)
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.

Reflection: What is one area in your life where God is asking you to take a step of obedience, even though the circumstances seem unfavorable or uncertain? What would it look like to plant that seed today?

Day 2: The Law of the Harvest—You Reap What You Sow

The Bible teaches a universal principle: whatever you sow, you will also reap, and this applies to every area of life—spiritual, relational, and practical. If you sow to the flesh, you will reap corruption; if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life. This law reminds us that our daily choices and actions have lasting consequences, and that sowing obedience, kindness, and righteousness will, in God’s timing, produce a harvest of blessing and transformation in our lives. [33:34]

Galatians 6:7-9 (ESV)
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Reflection: What are you consistently sowing into your relationships, habits, or thought life? Is there a change you need to make today to begin sowing to the Spirit rather than the flesh?

Day 3: Blessing Is Bigger Than Money

God’s blessing is not limited to material wealth; the greatest blessing is His presence with us. Through Christ, we have access to every spiritual blessing—peace, wisdom, provision, comfort, and more. These blessings often come in unexpected forms and are available to us regardless of our circumstances. When we seek God’s presence and prioritize His kingdom, we discover that His blessings are deeper and more satisfying than anything the world can offer. [42:16]

Ephesians 1:3 (ESV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to ask God for a non-financial blessing—such as peace, wisdom, or renewed hope? Take a moment to pray specifically for that today.

Day 4: Blessing Often Brings Envy and Opposition

When God’s blessing is evident in your life, not everyone will celebrate with you; some may respond with envy, criticism, or even hostility. Isaac experienced this as the Philistines envied his prosperity and asked him to leave. The Bible shows that this is a common response to God’s favor, but we are called to respond with humility, grace, and forgiveness, just as Isaac did and as Jesus taught. Our response to opposition can itself become a seed that produces further blessing. [51:15]

Matthew 5:11-12 (ESV)
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Reflection: Is there someone who has responded negatively to God’s work in your life? How can you respond with grace and blessing rather than defensiveness or resentment?

Day 5: Don’t Wait for Perfect Conditions—Sow Obedience Today

Waiting for perfect circumstances before obeying God is a trap that keeps us from experiencing His blessing. Whether it’s in finances, relationships, or personal growth, God calls us to take steps of obedience now, trusting that He will honor our faithfulness. The enemy will try to discourage and oppose you, but God’s promises remain true. Take the step God is prompting you to take, and trust Him to bring the increase in His time and way. [55:40]

Ecclesiastes 11:4 (ESV)
He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.

Reflection: What step of obedience have you been putting off, waiting for “better” conditions? What is one action you can take in the next 24 hours to move forward in faith?

Sermon Summary

Obedience to God is the foundation for experiencing His blessing in our lives. Looking at the story of Isaac in Genesis 26, we see that God’s promises are not limited to one generation—they are alive and active for us today. Isaac found himself in a famine, facing impossible circumstances, yet God called him to stay put and trust Him. Instead of seeking better conditions elsewhere, Isaac obeyed, sowing seed in barren ground. Against all odds, God brought a hundredfold harvest, demonstrating that blessing is not about perfect circumstances but about trusting and obeying God, even when it doesn’t make sense.

The law of the harvest is at work in every area of our lives: we reap what we sow, we reap in a different season than we sow, and we always reap more than we sow. This principle applies not just to finances or agriculture, but to every aspect of our spiritual and relational lives. When we sow obedience, kindness, forgiveness, or generosity, God multiplies those seeds into blessing—sometimes in ways we don’t expect. Conversely, sowing disobedience or negativity brings a harvest of brokenness and unrest.

Blessing is far more than material wealth. The greatest blessing is God’s presence with us. Through Christ, we have access to every spiritual blessing—peace, wisdom, provision, comfort, and more. These blessings are not always visible or tangible, but they are real and transformative. However, walking in God’s blessing can also provoke envy or opposition from others. Just as Isaac faced jealousy from the Philistines, and David from Saul, we too may encounter resistance when God’s favor is evident in our lives. Our response should not be retaliation, but humility and continued obedience, trusting God to defend and provide for us.

The challenge is to ask ourselves: What seed of obedience is God calling us to plant today? Are we willing to take that step, even if it’s unpopular or difficult? And will we persevere when we face pushback, trusting that God is faithful to His promises? The invitation is to act quickly on what God is prompting, seek accountability, expect resistance, ask for non-financial blessings, and develop a daily rhythm of seeking God’s presence and guidance.

Key Takeaways

1. Obedience is the seed that unlocks God’s blessing. Isaac’s willingness to plant in a famine, despite the apparent futility, shows that God honors faith-filled obedience over perfect conditions. Blessing begins not with our circumstances, but with our trust and response to God’s Word. [31:06]
2. The law of the harvest governs both the physical and spiritual realms: we reap what we sow, in a different season, and in greater measure. This means our daily choices—whether to sow peace, forgiveness, or generosity—will eventually return to us multiplied, for good or for ill. [33:34]
3. God’s blessing is bigger than material gain; His presence is the greatest gift. Spiritual blessings such as peace, wisdom, and provision flow from a relationship with Him, and these often surpass anything the world can offer. Seeking these blessings requires us to value God’s presence above all else. [41:09]
4. Blessing can provoke envy and opposition from others. When God’s favor is evident in our lives, some may respond with jealousy or even hostility. Our calling is to respond with humility, not retaliation, and to continue sowing seeds of grace and forgiveness, even toward those who oppose us. [47:27]
5. Perseverance in obedience is essential, especially when facing resistance or discouragement. The enemy will push back when we step out in faith, but God’s promises remain true. Acting quickly on God’s promptings, seeking accountability, and maintaining a daily rhythm of seeking Him will help us endure and see the harvest in due season. [57:37]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Announcements and Connect Opportunities
[03:10] - Upcoming Events and Kit Packing Fiesta
[06:30] - Growth Track and Membership Class Invitation
[10:15] - Introduction to Genesis 26 and Isaac’s Story
[13:40] - God’s Unchanging Promises Across Generations
[17:25] - The Famine in Gerar and God’s Call to Stay
[22:03] - The Principle: When We Sow Obedience, We Reap Blessing
[31:06] - Obedience Plants the Seed, God Gives the Increase
[32:08] - The Law of the Harvest Explained
[36:39] - Sowing to the Flesh vs. Sowing to the Spirit
[39:25] - Blessing Begins with Obedience, Not Perfect Conditions
[41:09] - The Source and Scope of God’s Blessing
[45:57] - Reaping What We Sow in Relationships and Life
[47:27] - Blessing Brings Envy and How to Respond
[53:14] - Responding to Opposition with Grace
[54:45] - Two Questions: What Will You Sow? Will You Endure Pushback?
[57:37] - Practical Next Steps for Obedient Living
[59:42] - Closing Prayer and Commitment

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Genesis 26:1-6, 12-14 (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. ...
> 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.

Galatians 6:7-9 (ESV) — > Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Observation Questions

What did God specifically command Isaac to do during the famine, and what was Isaac’s response? (Genesis 26:2-6)
According to the sermon, what was unusual about Isaac’s decision to plant crops during a famine? What was the result? [[31:06]]
In Galatians 6, what does Paul say about the principle of sowing and reaping? How does this relate to Isaac’s story?
How did the Philistines react to Isaac’s blessing and prosperity? (Genesis 26:14)

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God asked Isaac to stay in a place of famine instead of moving to a place with better conditions? What does this reveal about God’s priorities for us? [[17:25]]
The sermon says, “Obedience plants the seed, and God gives the increase.” What does this mean in practical terms for our daily lives? [[31:06]]
The law of the harvest says we reap what we sow, in a different season, and in greater measure. How might this principle play out in areas of life beyond finances or farming? [[33:34]]
The sermon points out that blessing can provoke envy or opposition from others. Why might God allow this, and how should believers respond? [[47:27]]

Application Questions

Think about a current “famine” or difficult circumstance in your life. Is there an area where God is asking you to stay put and trust Him, rather than seeking an easier way out? What would obedience look like for you in that situation? [[17:25]]
The sermon challenges us to plant seeds of obedience even when it doesn’t make sense or isn’t popular. What is one specific act of obedience God is prompting you to take this week? How can you act on it within the next 24 hours? [[58:25]]
The law of the harvest applies to our relationships, attitudes, and spiritual life. What are you currently “sowing” in your family, workplace, or friendships? Are there any negative seeds (like gossip, unforgiveness, or impatience) you need to stop planting? [[45:57]]
Have you ever experienced pushback or jealousy from others because of God’s blessing in your life? How did you respond? How can you respond with humility and grace if it happens again? [[47:27]]
The sermon encourages us to ask God for non-financial blessings like peace, wisdom, or favor. What is one non-material blessing you need from God right now? How can you intentionally seek His presence for that need this week? [[59:42]]
Accountability was mentioned as a way to persevere in obedience. Who can you share your next step of obedience with, so they can encourage and check in with you? [[58:25]]
The pastor suggested developing a daily rhythm of seeking God’s presence. What is one practical way you can start or strengthen this habit in your daily routine? [[59:42]]

Sermon Clips

Obedience plants the seed, and God gives the increase, and what we need to understand about Isaac sowing the seed is yes, it's a physical seed that is planted, but spiritually speaking, what he is really planting in this moment is his obedience, and we know that based on what happens next, because the writer says as Isaac plants the seed, it takes root, not only that, it begins to sprout, and then amazingly, it produces a harvest a hundredfold, and what this highlights is that while planting seed in desert conditions doesn't make it, it doesn't make it.any sense, Isaac trusted that God would bring the blessing he promised into his life. [00:30:34] (38 seconds) #ObedienceSeedsFaithfulHarvest

The question then is how did this happen? It happened because obedience plants the seed and God brings the increase. Now I want to give you, I want to give this to you in a principle this morning because there's a really simple principle of how this works. It's called the law of the harvest. We talked about this before in many times here at New Hope, but I want to give it to you again this morning. It's a universal law and it applies in every aspect of our life as we're going to see here. So here's how the law goes. It has three truths. The first truth is this, you reap what you sow. That's the first truth. The second truth is you sow in one season and you reap in another. And the third truth is you always reap more than you sow. That's the law of the harvest. [00:31:57] (50 seconds) #LawOfTheHarvestTruths

From a spiritual standpoint, the foundation for blessing in our lives is obedience to God's Word. In other words, if you want, if you're here today and say, Pastor, I want blessing in my life, let me tell you how that starts. It starts by planting the seed of obedience to God's Word in your life. That's where it starts. [00:37:22] (21 seconds) #ObedienceIsTheSeed

Isaac doesn't wait for perfect conditions. Why? Because perfect conditions for planting seed aren't what bring blessing. What brings blessing into our lives is obedience. And so he simply obeys. Despite the circumstances he's in, despite the impossibility of seed growing in desert soil, he plants the seed in the middle of a famine, and God brings the blessing. [00:39:21] (31 seconds) #BlessingThroughObedience

If you want peace in your life. How many would say, I need some peace in my life today? If you want peace in your life, God's presence can bring peace or the blessing of peace into your life. How do I know? Here's what Jesus says, peace, I leave with you. My peace, I give to you. And just so you know, it's not as the world gives, not as they do. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. Jesus says, you want peace? I can bring the blessing of peace into your life. [00:42:36] (32 seconds) #PeaceFromGodsPresence

God can give you a peace that surpasses all of that. Wow. I don't know about you. I want that. I want the blessing of peace in my life. Anybody need wisdom? Yeah. Did you know that wisdom is a blessing that God wants to give us? Yeah. James chapter one. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God who gives generously to all without reproach and it will be given to you. Listen, some of you are like, I need, I need some wisdom today. Guess what? God can provide you the blessing of wisdom in your life. [00:43:36] (36 seconds) #WisdomIsAGodlyBlessing

When you're living in the blessing in the blessing of God because you've been obedient, there will be people that envy you. Why? Because you have a peace they don't. Because you, you've forgiven and they can't. Because you have provision and they don't have it. Because you have hope and they have no hope. Because your marriage has joy and theirs doesn't. Because your kids behave and theirs are a nightmare. Because you're successful and they're not. Because you have something they want, but they're not willing to ask you about it and probably aren't willing to do what it takes to get it. [00:48:12] (47 seconds) #BlessingInvitesEnvy

What is he saying to you? You need to take this step of obedience. You need to plant this obedience into your life. What action do you need to take? What behavior needs to change? Who do you need to forgive? What investment do you need to be willing to make? And I want to encourage you to really think this through and pray this through. Maybe even write it down. And I want to challenge you not to wait for perfect conditions. [00:55:09] (30 seconds) #StepIntoObedience

There's never going to be perfect conditions for you to start tithing. You just start in the middle of what you might think is a famine of finance. You just start trusting God and you start planting what he's asked you to plant. And guess what? He will bring the increase. Why? Because he promised he would. And he's a God that doesn't lie. [00:56:01] (23 seconds) #StartSowingInFamine

What are you sowing into their life? Are you sowing kindness? Are you sowing concern, empathy, compassion? What are you sowing? Because you reap what you sow. You might be surprised that if you would change the behavior you have towards your spouse, that over time, and I'm not going to say it's going to happen overnight, but in due time, what Paul said, don't give up because in due time, you will see the increase of what you've sown. [00:56:41] (34 seconds) #SowKindnessReapLove

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What is the spiritual meaning of sowing obedience?

How does blessing extend beyond material wealth?

Why do blessings often cause envy among others?