SCRIPTURE
Genesis 26:12 Now Isaac, planting seed in that land, got in the same year fruit a hundred times as much, for the blessing of the Lord was on him. 13 And his wealth became very great, increasing more and more; 14 For he had great wealth of flocks and herds and great numbers of servants; so that the Philistines were full of envy.
15 Now all the water-holes, which his father's servants had made in the days of Abraham, had been stopped up with earth by the Philistines. 16 And Abimelech said to Isaac, Go away from us, for you are stronger than we are. 17 So Isaac went away from there, and put up his tents in the valley of Gerar, making his living-place there.
Proverbs 12:20 There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace.
OBSERVATION
Have you ever been unwelcome somewhere? Been picked on for who knows why?
Have you ever been unwelcome somewhere? Been picked on for who knows why?
From a human perspective Isaac does not belong where he is at but God told his father Abraham to move to this neighborhood because some day it is going to belong to his grandkids. The other people that already live in the neighborhood are tired of Isaac, he is growing more food than anybody else, and his flock is growing in numbers like rabbits.
There is a lot of persecution going on and he cannot keep a well dug out for his family and servants or to water his crops or livestock. Nobody likes the new guy in town and they ask him to leave; now asking is all they could do since verse 16 says that Isaac was more powerful than they were.
He isn’t doing anything wrong, he is just living in the land that God told him to live in. What a difficult lesson to learn to not give back evil for evil. 1 Peter 3:9-11 says:
Not giving back evil for evil, or curse for curse, but in place of cursing, blessing; because this is the purpose of God for you that you may have a heritage of blessing. For it is said, Let the man who has a love of life, desiring to see good days, keep his tongue from evil and his lips from words of deceit: And let him be turned from evil and do good; searching for peace and going after it with all his heart.
Isaac goes through the trouble of digging new wells instead of standing up for his rights. We all want to be treated fair and it is difficult to release that desire instead of demanding what we feel we should get.
APPLICATION
I need to a promoter of peace.(Romans 12:18)
The entire story of the Bible from cover to cover is a story of injustice being forgiven and forgotten. God’s “standard operating procedure” is to forgive and forget so why shouldn’t we live the same way.
PRAYER
Help me Lord to be a promoter of peace. I need to live at peace with everyone weather I think they deserve my kindness or not.
APPLICATION
I need to a promoter of peace.(Romans 12:18)
The entire story of the Bible from cover to cover is a story of injustice being forgiven and forgotten. God’s “standard operating procedure” is to forgive and forget so why shouldn’t we live the same way.
PRAYER
Help me Lord to be a promoter of peace. I need to live at peace with everyone weather I think they deserve my kindness or not.
