HONOR, BUT DON’T LIVE IN THE PAST
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
So Isaac moved away to the Gerar Valley, where he set up their tents and settled down. He reopened the wells his father had dug, which the Philistines had filled in after Abraham’s death. Isaac also restored the names Abraham had given them. Isaac’s servants also dug in the Gerar Valley and discovered a well of fresh water.
Genesis 26:17-19 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
Isaac is beginning to receive God’s blessings and favor. He has become so prosperous King Abimelech asks him to move away because he is too powerful for them. He moves back to the land where his father Abraham had lived. When he gets there, he “reopened the wells his father had dug.” This is a powerful statement. It is the fact of life that each generation wants to make a name for themselves. They like to try new things and new ways of doing things. Methods are always changing. Wells represent the source of life. In that part of the world, and everywhere else, water is the source of life. We must have water to drink. Water to grow food. Water to give our animals. There is a spiritual significance because the wells can represent the connection with God. While our methods may have changed, we must not reject the spiritual wells that those who preceded us worked to establish. It takes hard work to dig a well. But the joy of finding fresh water is worth the work. After Abraham died the locals filled in the wells of Abraham. It was not as hard to reopen those wells—but it did take some work. Jacob decided it was worth the effort. He wanted the same source of life his father had enjoyed. But Jacob didn’t stop there. He also dug some new wells. Each generation will dig some new wells. They are responsible to discover some new paths to experience God. We must be careful not to reject the old wells and not to get lazy and not work to build some new wells. Let’s enjoy the source of life from the wells those who preceded us have worked to establish. Let’s work to dig some wells for the next generation. Honor the past but don’t live in the past. Let’s always be moving forward to provide new and vibrant ways to connect with God.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit please help me today to be sure to keep the wells open of those who have gone before me. Help me also to be constantly working to open new wells for those who will come behind me.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”
Lord although I have moved away from Crowley / Ft Worth now for almost 7 years I remain very thankful that I have this daily bread to follow every morning . It’s my well , my only for now . I want to be as close to you as possible Lord so now I know I need to dig new wells .