DIGGING WELLS

And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth, because he said, “For now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.” (Genesis 26:22 NKJV)

Isaac seems to be rather a disappointing character, and we sometimes wonder why he should be classed with Abraham, the father of all who believe; and Jacob, who prevailed with the angel and became a prince! He was passive, quiet, and given to thoughtful meditation (Genesis 24:63). God's purpose includes all sorts and types of men, and Isaac dug wells of which men have drunk for thousands of years.

He was constantly pursued by enmity, jealousy, and strife, as the names of his wells attest. But each time he consistently retired from the conflict, and yielded his well to dig another. Finally, his enemies had to confess that he was mightier than they (Genesis 26:16). Best of all, God appeared to him "the same night," and promised that He would be with Him and bless him.

Let's learn to strengthen our resistance to evil, and lift it from the physical to the moral and spiritual level. "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty" (Proverbs 16:32). Go on digging wells, the wells of family prayer, of love for the Bible, of holy exercises and habits! You will find spring water (Genesis 26:19). That is God's side of your life. You are called to dig wells, but God's Holy Spirit will rise up in your soul, and in the souls of others, like the geyser springs in the Arctic regions (John 4:14). Let's present to Him ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be the wells and channels, along and through which His eternal Godhead and power, arising from the fathomless depths of His own nature, may reach this thirsty and parched world!

God is love: love is self giving: but God depends on the co-operation of us, the well-diggers, to make outlets for the outflow of His love and goodness.

PRAYER

Most merciful Father, give us grace that we may never be drawn to do anything that may dishonor Your name; but may persevere in all good purposes, and in Your holy service, unto our lives' end. I pray in Jesus' name, AMEN.