Have you ever taken inventory of what is in your freezer, fridge, and pantry? How many days, weeks, or months could you survive in a time of crisis?
We often take advantage of availability to close sources. But what happens when the shelves are empty in your house, and you drive to the source, only to learn that the source is also empty? Even more unpleasant than that, what if you can't even get to the source?
I'm reminded of a lady in scripture by the name of Hagar, Sarah's handmaiden.
Genesis 21:14 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.
After the birth of Ishmael, Hagar had been evicted from Abraham's house and banished to the desert. Undoubtedly, she longed to once again eat from Abraham's table, but that was no longer an option. She was worried about her son. They were wondering aimlessly in the heat of the wilderness. How could they survive without water?
Life emptied Hagar’s water bottle.
In desperation, Hagar took her child and placed him in the shade of a shrub to protect him from the sun's intensity. Dejectedly, she walked far enough away that she would not hear the final cries of her son. She just couldn't bear to watch her son die. They were out of water. And, her source was no longer accessible. It was OVER in Hagar’s mind.
Genesis 21:17 And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.
God heard what Hagar didn't want to hear. God heard the the voice of the lad.
This was not the end. It was the start of a mighty nation. Circumstances and trials had blinded Hagar, but God reached down and opened her eyes. And, when her eyes opened, she didn't just see a bottle; she saw a WELL of water (21:19). God gave her access to a source that surpassed Abraham's provisions. Abraham gave her bottles of water; God gave her a well!
You can survive a wilderness season, as long as you have access to a well!
This very week, some of us have asked:
How will we survive without being able to assemble for church?
How long will this isolation last?
Can I worship in my home?
Can we sustain this?
As families and friends joined together in our individual homes this past weekend, it became immediately evident that we found a well. In our very own homes, we felt the sustaining, refreshing, and fulfilling presence of God. We may have started with empty bottles, but quickly God opened our eyes -- we found a well in our house!
David wrote about this reality in Psalm 23. A table is prepared for me, in the presence of my enemies... my CUP runneth over. While in the heat of the wilderness, David still found a place that he could fill his cup.
The ideal is Abraham's table. But be encouraged! Don’t let the circumstance blind you from the well that is within your house.
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