Day 12 - Rivalry

Day 12
Genesis 25-26, John 10

Since the beginning, rivalry has been a very present element to the world. Cain and Abel were the first examples, and now we read about Esau and Jacob. Since they were in the womb together, we read that they "struggled" with each other, and as boys Esau ends up giving his birthright to Jacob.
Isaac himself faces rivalry in the water wells his father had set up. Ironically enough, Isaac falls into the same situation with Rebekah, as his father once had with his mother, in telling her to tell the people of Gerar that she was his sister, rather than his wife. Abimelech has Isaac leave eventually, because he can feel the rivalry building as Isaac becomes more and more wealthy and powerful.

Isaac is reminded, however of the blessing and covenant that God has made with his family. Because of Isaac's faithfulness and way with the Lord, we see that Abimelech approaches him and forms and oath with him. Rather than giving into rivalry, we see them pact together.

In John, we see the analogy of Jesus being our Shepherd and us learning what our Shepherd's voice is like. There are many things in this world that rival Jesus and His voice. We can choose to be under the protection of our true Savior or follow the ways and the deceptions of what the world wants to offer us. As Jesus says about the thief who want so seek and destroy, the world has a similar tactic. It doesn't have our best interest in mind like a shepherd does for his sheep, or like Jesus has for us.

We see how Jesus makes the people uncomfortable - to the point of them wanting to kill Him, and that is certainly true today, as the world continues to pull Jesus out of things because it doesn't want to face what is "uncomfortable" in causing the conflict.

What is rivaling in your life? Is there something trying to take the place that only Jesus can fill? We were never promised lack of conflict in life. But we were promised that if we stand strong and rely on Him, He will make a way for us. Hold tight to Him over anything else in this world and in your life. He has your best interest in mind and wants you to thrive!