Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha
It is difficult to be fruitful in the place of
strife and contention, a form of thorns. Though Isaac dug wells that contained
water in Gerar; the herdsmen of Gerar contended over the well. Very wisely,
Isaac moved from the area of contention and dug another well. Fortunately, they
found water and named the place Rehoboth since there was no contention.
Additionally, Isaac declared that God had made for them to be fruitful so they
could flourish and blossom in the land.
Beloved, God blesses the work of our hands but if
that work is deliberately and intentionally sown among thorns, then there is a
problem. How, you may ask? God does ask people to sow among thorns. I am sure
that is one of the reasons Jesus Christ gave the parable of the sower. I may be
wrong but I adduce this from the Scripture on everything written is for our
learning and experience. Also, the fact that thorns exist on a ground shows
that the ground is already occupied so why plant on a place already occupied,
especially by thorns? And even if you must plant there; why not weed out the
thorns first and then treat the ground to ensure that that there are no more
thorns hiding underground that can take root again when good seeds are planted
on that ground. if you have not taken all these precautions and you go ahead to
plant on thorns; beloved you are thinking and saying that you can and have the
power to compel God to bless your disobedience by deliberately sowing on a
ground that contains self destructive properties. How can God bless such planting?
How do you expect His blessing to rest on a ground that will of its own
volition; without any external prodding or influence or interference destroy
itself?
Safeguard your God given wealth where God lives. Will
God live in a place that is full of contention and strife? Definitely not! The
implication then is that the blessing of God will not be upon such a place.
Please see Jeremiah Chapter 4 verses 3 to 7 and Hosea Chapter 10 verses 12 to
15. What is strife and contention? Simply put, unnecessary divisions and Jesus
Christ said that a house divided against itself cannot stand. Please see
Matthew Chapter 12 verses 22 to 30 and Luke Chapter 11 verses 14 to 18.
The Apostle Paul also cautioned against divisions
borne out of envy and strife in the Corinthian Church. Please see 1st
Corinthian Chapter 3 verses 1 to 23. Strife, contention and divisions are the
works of the flesh. Please see Galatians Chapter 5 verses 20 to 21. The
Corinthian Church was plagued with divisions traceable to pride, envy and the
desire to lord it over one another – a quest for positions of authority and
power over other people as well as holding allegiance to certain people and not
God, people fighting for hierarchy. Please see Romans Chapter 16 verses 17 to
18.
If Isaac had stayed on in Gerar contending over the
wells they dug earlier with the herdsmen of Gerar, they would never have
discovered Rehoboth, the land of fruitfulness and affluence. Beloved, do not
build on another person’s land. I pray that God in His infinite mercy and grace
will take you to your Rehoboth which He prepared specially for you from the foundation
of the world so that you can flourish and prosper and be exceedingly fruitful
to the glory of God the Father in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Please see
Genesis Chapter 22, but take note of verses 22, 29 to 30.
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