There was a famine in land. God warned Isaac not to go down to Egypt. In a previous famine (Genesis 12:10) Abraham had gone down to Egypt, and this had caused trouble. God warns Isaac not to make the same mistake. Christians will live in times of difficulty like everyone else (eg the current recession), but we must listen to God and follow His guidance. This applies to general guidance which we all have (eg trust God, do not be anxious, continue to be generous to others etc), and any specific guidance that God might give to us.
The reason for the instruction from God was that Isaac was to remain in the land that He had promised to him. The famine did not negate the promise of God. Likewise with us, the difficulties do not mean that God is not going to fulfil His promises, and we must continue to live in the "land" He gives us. Ie we must continue to live Christlike lives.
While Isaac obeyed God on this one, he then made the same mistake that Abraham had made and lied about his wife. Fortunately Abimelech realised what was going on before any trouble arose. In fact Isaac was rather fortunate in the way Abimelech reacted, though this may have been a result of the last time it happened with Abraham.
Isaac planted crops and became wealthy, even in a time of famine. This then led to envy and a dispute with the Philistines over the wells. After a series of digging wells and disputes Isaac found a place where he could settle. The Lord then appeared to Isaac and reassured him. After a battle of some sort, even though we may come through it victorious, we can still feel vulnerable or weakened after it. God knows this, and we should look to Him to strengthen us, as He did here with Isaac.
Abimilech came and sought to make a treaty with Isaac, and Isaac agreed. The they found water. Esau, meantime, was marrying the wrong people and causing trouble for his parents.
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