Digging New Wells

Have you ever tried to find fulfillment in experiences or places of the past? I know I have. How about you? Well, the story of Isaac in Genesis twenty-six just might shed some light on your situation.

 In the days of Abraham after his death, Isaac, his son lived in the land of the Philistines in Gerar when there was a famine. Isaac became prosperous and multiplied his flocks a hundredfold, but the Philistines became jealous (Genesis 26:13-19). They told them to leave so that they wouldn’t be trouble. So Isaac left and went to the valley. When he got there, he found that all the wells of his father Abraham had been stopped up, He ordered his men to re-dig them, and when they did, they got water. But the herdsman of the area said it was their water. (Genesis 26:20). Even though they had filled in the wells and were not using the water, Isaac left.

 I’m sure Isaac was a bit miffed but he went off and dug another well. Once again, they fought over that. Consequently, Isaac moved again and dug yet more wells and no one bothered him. Finally, he had peace in the land. The significance of this hit me like a bucket of water in the face. The wells which Isaac had dug out were rightfully his through his father Abraham. He could’ve fought for them, but instead he moved on, away from his adversaries.

 So the question becomes, are you trying to live off a former wellspring of life? I know at times I am. A place where I was well provided for… like the teaching job I retired from two years ago. The friends I use to have and the things I use to do that felt right, comfortable. Yet God wants me to move and dig a new well… A new place which will spring up with “living water.”

 So back to the story of Isaac. He built an altar there on the new land in a new territory. He didn’t complain that he had to move several times, Isaac rejoiced that there was now room for him and his flocks (Genesis 26: 22-25). Is it time we moved out of our complacency, the familiar and strike out for new territory in the Lord? Yes, I believe so. Like Isaac we can dig new wells and build an altar of praise and worship daily. Go to a place away from our enemies, shut up with God. Go where He indicates, though he doesn’t necessarily show us beforehand. It might take digging a few wells here and there until God shows up and declares, “That’s it. This is the place!”  This is where you can drink “living water” and worship me—here, not back there.

 

It is time some of us moved on in the things of God? Are we so entrenched in our beliefs that we will not move forward? Are we going to the same places to draw “living water” when the water there is a murky puddle or has dried up? Are we fighting our adversaries instead of moving on? These are questions to ponder.

 

 I’m know I’m excited to follow God daily where He leads me. I might make a few mistakes here and there, but He understands. Ultimately, He’s leading me in the right direction. How about you?