“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God…” Psalm 42:1,2a
“Then Isaac dug again the wells of water which had been dug in the days of his father, Abraham, for the Philistines had stopped them up…” Genesis 26:18
Many identify with the psalmist, thirsting to see the reality of God today! Some have changed churches seeking. Others have left local churches entirely. It is an often-used Biblical analogy, the ongoing need for water to sustain life! The old-testament man Isaac needed water for his household and herds (Genesis 26:12-25), and his need tells a spiritual story of this generation’s desperate need as well! The need for “living” water is there, but the question is, is there a thirst? And if so, how is it being attempted to quench?
The old wells of blessings had been covered (Gen 26:18a,b). Note one of the meanings of the term Philistines=“Rolled with dust!” Even though the origin of Isaac’s blessings was the Lord (Gen 26:12-14a), the occasion caused bitterness (Gen 26:14b-15). Just as in ancient days, an over-emphasis on earthly life diverts attention away from preparing for eternal Life! It reminds me of a comment and question an old minister asked a younger man, “You are going to be in eternity a whole lot longer than you are going to be on earth! Which side of the grave are you giving the most attention?”
The old wells of blessing could be uncovered-(Gen 26:18a). This is the history of revival through the ages! Born again believers in Christ eventually have the thirst for the Person and power of God after an extended absence! Yet, it requires effort of both time and energy to seek the Lord (vv18-22a), and it will almost certainly result in contention with the devil himself, or through some of his henchmen (vv20-21). It is true that things truly worth having are worth the energy it takes to have them. As far as the business world is concerned, research reveals that 80% of all new sales are closed on the fifth sales call. The same research shows that only 10% of all salespeople make more than three sales calls!
New wells of blessing needed to be discovered (v22). This required a new position(v22a). As Isaac left the land of dust, he dug a new well he called Rehoboth! Rehoboth means “open spaces”, and along with re-opening the old wells of blessing, we need to delve into the “new” wells of different cultures, different ethnicities and different generations! Not just establishing new works of this or that ethnicity, but new works of mixed ethnicities! New works of not just the “now generation”, but works of “all generations”! Can that be successful? Keep this always in mind, new challenges are simply new opportunities to trust the Lord and see what He can do!
Blessings,
Jon Moore]
