Proverbs 1:33

“but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”

‬‬There’s an old saying that goes something like this: “If you can’t take the heat, stay out of the kitchen.” It’s been applied in a variety of situations, but basically its saying, “If you don’t like your current circumstances, then leave”.

Throughout our lives we will have a number of seasons where we’re in a “hot kitchen”, i.e., circumstances are difficult, trying, stressful or not to our liking. Our natural tendency is to “flee” to a more comfortable situation. But sometimes immediately “fleeing” is not the best action to take. This principle is illustrated in the life of Isaac, the promised son of Abraham.

In the beginning of Genesis 26, we are told that there was a famine in the land. Famines, especially in an agrerian society, were associated with drought, the loss of crops, animals, property and possibly life itself. The obvious thing to do would be to move to a more furtile land, in this case Egypt. But we are told in verses 2-5, that God told Isaac specifically to stay in Gerar; that He would be with him, bless him and fulfill the promise He made to his father Abraham.

Isaac faced a huge decision. God didn’t give Isaac all the details to make a “fully informed” decision like, how long the famine would last, how severe it would be, how much property he would lose, how God specifically was going to carry out what He promised. Instead Isaac was given a clear command from God. Therefore his “fully informed” decision would be based on faith — his dependence and knowledge of the character of God, as well as His past interaction in his life. “To obey or not to obey?”; that was the question.

How would you assess your personal relationship with the Lord, honestly? Can you distinguish His voice during your prayer and devotion time, or are you unfocused and distracted? Are you mindful of what He’s done for you in the past, or have you forgotten what He did for you even last week? Do you spend quality time getting to know Him, or more time thinking about how to eliminate all the uncertainties of life? Do you depend more on Him or your own resources?

God may tell you to take the “obvious” action in a “hot kitchen” situation — but He may not. And most often, He won’t give you all the details and timing of what He will do.

Faith and obedience to God were the keys to Isaac experiencing God at a whole new level in his life. He saw that God was truly faithful to His Word. He was able to “live at ease without the dread of disaster” in the midst of a drought.

Seeking and obeying the Lord in the “hot kitchen” times will accomplish several things in your life: development of Christ-like character, the fulfillment His plan at that stage of your life, receiving His blessings, and experiencing His glory at a whole new level.

Seek the Lord before running out of a “hot kitchen”.