Forgiveness brings many blessings. Unforgiveness, however, drains you of energy. It causes internal fractures. It leads to bitterness of soul, causing contempt, apathy, anxiety and a wide assortment of fears. It will strain relationships and ultimately cause ungratefulness and loneliness. How can you find strength to avoid such effects and find real forgiveness than can bear the fruit of God’s blessings?
RELEVANCE
The Bible records a story in Genesis 26 of Isaac and his encounters with the Philistines—longtime adversaries of the children of Israel. He had been experiencing God’s favor and blessing. So his neighbors, the Philistines, envied him. The Bible says they stopped up all the wells which his father Abraham had dug. Rather than fighting, Isaac left the area and began digging new wells. The cycle continued, however. As he would succeed, the Philistines would continue stopping up the wells.
What we see here is Isaac’s perseverance. He found strength forgiving his enemies in his heart and moving forward, trusting in God’s faithfulness. Eventually the Philistines conceded, seeing how God had obviously been with Isaac and extended favor upon him. They entered into an agreement or oath of peace.
Finally, Isaac’s servants dig a well; and evidently quite a good one. He calls it Sheba, meaning Well of the Oath or Well of the Seven; an interesting name. On the one hand, speaking of seven it conveys a sense of wholeness or completeness. It also represented coming to a state of peace.
Taking it a step further, it can be viewed as a type and shadow pointing to the “well of living water” of which Jesus spoke would spring up within one being filled with the Holy Spirit. However you view it, it speaks of God’s favor and blessings flowing from His abundant grace.
REFLECT AND RELATE
As you face opposition and conflict, ask God for grace to forgive and strength to endure. Trust in His faithfulness.
REFERENCES
Genesis 26:12-33; John 4:1-15