December 15

Day 276: Backfilling Your Well

A curious story appears in Genesis 26, involving the digging and then refilling desert wells. Abraham the father had dug (well, his people dug) wells. Later on, the men of Gerar filled all of those same wells up with dirt.

This wasn't an issue over water rights.; Well, kind of. It was really a question of land rights. Because of a severe famine in Canaan, Isaac the son had been "sojourning" in Gerar, and had become quite wealthy during his time there. Jealousy resulted, and messing with the wells was the response.

So Isaac had other wells dug. And the men of Gerar filled those up too. Rather than fight back, Isaac just dug more wells, until one of those wells didn't get backfilled.

Isaac took the hits and suffered the losses. He accepted not winning. Because Isaac was willing to rest in God's promises to both Abraham and himself. People, land, blessing. How hard that must have been (?)

At one point, Isaac even had to 'play nice' with the king of Gerar and his officials. They came (probably with guilt written all over their faces) and asked for peace; a truce. They essentially asked Isaac not to do to them what they had already done to him.

Certainly not fair nor equitable. But, and after the Lord reminds him again of His promises to Isaac,  Isaac extends middle eastern hospitality, agrees to the agreement, and send them on their way. Isaac is left without a winner's medal.

What God had said to Isaac was "Fear not!" In context, God was saying, "Don't be afraid of not getting revenge; of not winning. I am with you. I will bless you with the blessings I promised both you and your Dad."

Essentially, God tells Isaac he can afford a loss, because his greater gain is his covenant relationship with God Himself.

Unless any of us know and rest in our gospel identity, we will resort to retribution, returning like for like. We all want to win our battles and assuage our hurt feelings. How hard it is to let someone else win, especially when our opponent hasn't played nice or played fair.

How hard it is for any of us to be nice to someone who has not been nice to us. How easy it is, rather, to avoid, talk about, gather allies and judge the one who has hurt us. I've seen people actually sell their houses and move away, simply over an unresolved conflict or offense endured.

Isn't it funny how we're all fans of justice...when it applies to the villains in our lives...but we're all about grace when it might apply to us?

Unless we know and rest in our gospel identity, we will be predisposed to seek satisfaction, revenge, the ultimate win. But if  we remind ourselves often of who Jesus has made us to be, we can leave the 'winning' To Him.

Even if somebody backfills the well you just dug.

-Mike Rydman, Lead Pastor, Radiant Church Juneau