Monday, January 15, 2024
Pause. Pray. Read. Be still. Write. Pray. Go about your day or turn in for the night.
Read: Genesis 21:8-19 The Importance of Wells
Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water.
She went, and filled the skin with water, and gave the boy a drink.
(Genesis 21:19, NRSV)
Have you ever traveled in the desert? I still remember my four-hour tour by canopied jeep in 110-degree heat of the Arizona desert. Foolishly, I packed only one tumbler of water. By the time I returned, my white blouse was brown and my blue shorts white from the blowing sand. Having long since drained my water, I stumbled into the lodge parched and desperate for the fresh bottle that a friend handed me to quench my thirst.
Banished by Sarah out of jealousy, the slave Hagar traveled into the desert with her son Ishmael, bread, and one skin of water. When the last drop was drunk, she wept in anguish and despair. Yet, God saw and heard Hagar’s cries. He reassured her of the future and opened her eyes to the nearby well of water that would sustain the life of her and her son.
Rather than wallowing in unnecessary lack and defeat, we can trust God sees us. Unless we allow His voice and words to open our eyes spiritually, His wells of life-giving water may go unnoticed.
Be Still and Reflect: What troubles you? Where are your wells? Where are those places you can go to refresh your spirit and be filled with living water?
Pray: El-Roi, my Lord, You are the One who sees me wherever and in whatever state of being I am. You are my keeper who never slumbers. In both my days of troubles and days of blessings, open my eyes to see the wells from which I can draw Your life-giving water. Refresh my spirit daily. Sustain me through Your words and the Word. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, the only One in whom I can find everlasting life, Amen.