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Searching for a Daily Source of Water

Modern technology bypasses most of the steps early settlements had to consider before setting up camp in a particular area. Unless you watch shows like Homestead Rescue, most people don’t understand that you can’t survive unless you have access to a daily source of water. When Isaac was told by King Abimelech that he needed to find a new place to live, Isaac’s first concern was finding a well with clean water.

Now all the wells which his father’s servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had closed and filled with earth. 16 And Abimelech said to Isaac, Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we are. 17 So Isaac went away from there and pitched his tent in the Valley of Gerar, and dwelt there. 18 And Isaac dug again the wells of water which had been dug in the days of Abraham his father, for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham; and he gave them the names by which his father had called them. 19 Now Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and found there a well of living [spring] water, Genesis 26:15-19.

Isaac didn’t have access to the local Sam’s Club or Walmart. Rather, Isaac commissioned his servants to locate water through a series of wells. Once this discovery and construction process was completed, Isaac was able to set up his new camp, home, centered around these wells. Just as springs in the California desert gave birth to the city of Palm Springs, a well of living water made it possible for Isaac’s family to survive in the wilderness.

Blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather. But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night. And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity], Psalm 1:1-3.

One of the Psalmists writes about the blessings of water. From a spiritual perspective, water is like the Word of God, serving as a source of hope and faith, Romans 10:17. The apostle Paul uses a similar analogy in Colossians 2:6-7, rooted and built up in Christ. Since tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, James 4:13-15, search for a daily source of living water, John 4:14, like a curious Samaritan woman who’s entire family entered into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

by Jay Mankus

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Trampled

Every year panic triggers some sort of horrific event.  Whether its at a concert, escaping a fire or fleeing a terrorist attack, fear often leads to individuals to trample upon anyone who gets in the way.  In 2008, a Walmart employee from Long Island, New York died after wild shoppers on Black Friday began running to claim limited specials once the doors were opened.

But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd, Acts 17:5.

Unfortunately, there is more than one way to be trampled.  Anyone who uses social media can be verbally run over following a post that offends and upsets followers.  Several teenagers have committed suicide in the past 5 years shortly after being bullied, embarrassed or harassed by their peers.  While some of the content posted was self-inflicted, a spirit of gossip is encouraging many to pile on with one sarcastic comment after the other.

A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends, Proverbs 16:28.

I hope that some day soon the citizens of America will come to their senses.  Sure, I like a good laugh, but it appears the line between right and wrong has shrunk.  Subsequently, innocent people are being trampled and discarded without any remorse or sorrow.  Trashing anyone who disagrees with your worldview is not the answer.  Instead, may God have mercy on us, extend grace to the hurting and save this divided nation from further trampling.

by Jay Mankus

 

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