A small story in 20 chapters
A cosy daily moment with Scripture, reflection, and a challenge to embed the word in your day.
Chapter 5
Finished ✦ on 20 January 2026
Scripture
Genesis 26:12 [NRSVUE]
"12 Isaac sowed seed in that land and in the same year reaped a hundredfold. The Lord blessed him,"
Reflection
Before Isaac (and/or his labourers) even started sowing seed, God had already promised to be with him and to bless him, as long as he stayed in the land God had shown him. Isaac did obey that instruction physically, but he still struggled to fully trust what God had said. Out of fear, he repeated the same mistake his father made before, choosing deception instead of trust in a moment where he tried to protect himself by doing things his own way. It’s only after Isaac is confronted by Abimelech, corrected on what his actions could have brought, and reassured that he can live in the land without fear that he begins to step more fully into what God had promised. Then, he sows seed in the land, trusting that God will be faithful to bring growth. What stands out to me is that God doesn’t plant the seed for Isaac or bless him without it. The blessing is God’s to give, but the act of planting still belongs to Isaac. He has to get things started with that first action. In the same way, we can plant seeds of our own in faith, obedience, and trust, even in the not most perfect way, but the results are ultimately God’s to decide. Our responsibility isn’t to force growth or control outcomes, but to be faithful in planting what He has asked of us.
Today’s quest
If you can, plant something today! A seed, a herb, a flower, choose anything that you would like to grow. Take care of it and let it be a small reminder that growth takes time, trust, and patience.
Your reflection
“I’ve also been spending a lot of time reflecting on the lives of Abraham and Isaac whilst reading through Genesis at the beginning of this year! I’ve been seeking thr Lord on what it means to plan with Him rather than making plans myself. I’ve seen the pattern of how God often directs us at work in Abraham and Isaac’s lives - He gives us a vision, a dream, a call to a land He has shown us. But then we are called to take the steps, to use the wisdom He gives us to make actions that align with His vision! We still need to seek Him continuously so that we are not deceiving ourselves into making the wrong actions (cough Ishmael cough). I’m praying the Lord gives me the courage this year to use the wisdom He gives me to step forward in those actions that align with the prophetic words and visions He has spoken over my life 🙏🏾”