“Peace is not found in winning the argument but in preserving the relationship.”
— PEACEMAKER: A Twelve Session Journey into the Heart of God’s Peace
It’s a wonderful quote…until someone takes something that belongs to you.
That’s when the real question surfaces. What are you willing to give up to preserve the relationship?
More often than we’d like to admit, the answer is found in the rights we hold most tightly.
Genesis 26 relates that Isaac’s servants dug a well in the Valley of Gerar. Even though the well rightfully belonged to Isaac, the local herdsmen claimed it. Isaac later named the well Esek, “Contention.” Isaac had every resource to defend what was rightfully his. Instead, he left the well behind.
Nothing about Isaac suggested he needed to surrender his rights. He had the resources to defend what was rightfully his.
Instead of turning the dispute into a battle, Isaac dug another well. His servants found water again, but the celebration didn’t last long. When another dispute arose, he named the second well Sitnah, “Hostility.” Once again, he left behind what was rightfully his.
Finally, his servants dug a third well where no one challenged his claim. Isaac named it Rehoboth, saying,
“For now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.” (Genesis 26:22, NKJV)
I’ve often wondered what it cost Isaac to walk away.
Isaac had every right to defend those wells.
Sometimes peace requires surrendering a legitimate right.
The cost of walking away is easy to measure. The cost of staying and fighting often isn’t. Isaac understood that.
Not every well is worth a war.
Isaac never fought for those wells. He didn’t need to. A short time later, Abimelech, king of Gerar, came looking for him. “We have certainly seen that the Lord is with you…” (Genesis 26:28, NKJV) The king who once opposed Isaac now wanted peace with him.
Isaac didn’t protect God’s promise. God did.
That kind of surrender takes confidence.
We naturally ask, “Can I keep what is mine?”
Faith asks, “Can I trust God enough to let it go?”
Before you insist on your rights, pause and ask this question. Is this well worth a war? Sometimes the greater victory is preserving the relationship and trusting God to make room. You can trust the God who made room for Isaac.
About the Author
David Johnson is the co-founder and Director of Ministry at Laurel Mountain Ministries. He is an ordained minister, retired attorney, Bible teacher, and author who enjoys helping people discover God’s truth through practical Bible study. His latest book, PEACEMAKER: A Twelve Session Journey into the Heart of God’s Peace, is available on Amazon.
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