In conflict – 2015.08.03
…. you are blessed by the Lord.
Genesis 26:29
God promised Isaac the hole of Palestine, however it was still owned by
other people. As an foreign herder he had to wander through the land.
But he was a respected figure and he trusted God. The work he did was
blessed and God increased his riches and multiplied his herds.
Other people got envious and send Isaac away and destroyed his wells. He
had gotten to powerful for their taste.
But Isaac moved a bit further
and reopened the well of his father, Abraham. But the people started to
confront his herders. They claimed, the water belongs to them, not
Isaac. So he moved again and dug a new well. Sure enough, this new well
was reason for another conflict. So Isaac moved again and dug another
well. There was no conflict for this well and Isaac called the well
Rehoboth – a broad place – saying: The Lord has given us room.
Here he build a new altar to the Lord since he knew his defense was God.
After some time, the people came to make a peace treaty with Isaac. They
feared him, since they know God blessed everything he touched, and said: "
You are blessed by the Lord."
Isaac was not a powerless man jet he did not seek conflict. He did not
insist on his right at all cost, but he yielded and moved away. His
trust was in God, not in his right or his strength, so he could yield
and end the argument.
A lot of times we fight about small stuff as if our life depends on it!
But we don’t have to! We only need the peace that God gives to us. We
need his blessing so our life becomes fruit full. Conflict makes us
bitter, cold and calculating, but peace makes us strong, brave, certain
and compassionate.
Thank you father, that i found you! You look after me, even if others
cheat me or talk bad about me. When i avoid conflict You will pay me
back in full. You want me to be a peacemaker at all cost. Your peace
will be worth it.
Bible reading today: Psalm 100: 1-5