So far, this week has been quite trying, and this morning I was praying as I drove to work, thinking, Lord, where is my well? Where can I find guidance? Then I heard, Seek me. I am here, and I will guide you to the everlasting water. The rest of the day, I thanked the Lord for all he did for me, even the little things. I have so much to be thankful for in my life.
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Therefore, with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. Isaiah 12:2-4
On the drive to work is when I talk to God and listen to what God has to say to me. Today, I was reminded about the different times in my childhood when I lived in homes with old cisterns as the primary water source. A cistern is different from a well. Yes, they both provide water, but the collection method for the water is different.
A well is usually made by drilling down through the earth till the drill enters an underground stream or natural spring. Well water before the 19th century was healthier than water from a cistern.
A cistern is usually a man-made structure above or below ground that uses gravity to catch the water. Cisterns below ground filter water through the soil/earth, irrigation, or use evaporation to collect water. In some below-ground cisterns, you would have to use a rope and bucket to get the water. You lower the rope down, and just before it reaches the water, you give the rope a little flip of the wrist to turn the bucket upside down. This causes the bucket to fill up with water, then you pull the bucket up. Cistern water was only sometimes safe for people or animals to drink before the 19th century because of bacterial contamination like Cholera due to improper location, improperly built, and/or maintained.
When Jesus is the Well of our life, our salvation, we prosper and grow in the knowledge of his word. When we drink from His Well, we are strong against Satan. Satan roams, looking for the weak to influence and lead away from the church. Satan looks for the lukewarm Christian who has not submitted to the truth. The Lord does not want Lukewarm Christians. He wants true believers.
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth and from walking up and down in it. Job 1:6-7
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Revelation 3:15-16
When we try to build our faith and salvation on the teachings of a man. When we try to justify our actions with half-truths that do not align with God’s word. We are a cistern. An undrinkable water that will lead to death in a lake of fire.
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. 1 John 2:15-16
God wants a people sanctified and cleansed with his living water where their focus is on him. When our souls have become tainted with worldly waters. We can come to the Well of Living Water. We seek repentance. We ask for forgiveness. We admit that we are sinners and have sinned. We proclaim that he is the ONLY God. He will cleanse us and wash us with his blood.
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38
I am only a human person. I seek him daily because I know I cannot do this life alone. I tried. I am stronger, happier, and alive when the living waters have begun to flow in my life again.
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:14
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