DIFFERENCES SETTLED PEACEFULLY                                   Genesis 26:28-33

“That thou wilt do us no hurt, as we have not touched thee, and as we have done unto thee nothing but good, and have sent thee away in peace: thou art now the blessed of the LORD.” (v29)

Peace is elusive in the world because many people cannot tolerate others that are different from them. So much has been spent to achieve peace, yet many nations are still at war against one another. Isaac had to cope with living with people of other cultures. As it is normal wherever there is culture clash, they had conflict. The blessing of God upon Isaac made a victim of envy and he was, therefore, evicted from Gerar (Genesis 26:12-16) Inspite of the ill-treatment meted out to him, Isaac was not upset because God was with him. Right in the valley, God reassured him of divine protection and prosperity during famine. The presence of God with Isaac attracted king Abimelech for a peaceful resolution of conflicts. Conflicts are not resolved by revenge or incurring more wrongs but by coming to terms with the fact that relationships are valuable. As we know, two wrongs cannot make a right and those who fight fire for fire end up in ashes. How do we resolve our differences? Do we always wait for others to apologise whenever the offend us before we forgive them? Do we find it difficult to apologise when we are at fault? Jesus urged us to forgive. Each time we forgive, we exhibit the true mark of a disciple. Above all, God is being glorified. We may not be able to prevent conflict outright,  but we can determine to seek peace immediately there is a conflict. Determine to be a peace-maker wherever you find yourself.

PRAYER LINE: Help me to exercise patience in relationships.

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When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He make his enemies to live in peace with him (Proverb 16:7) (NBC)