Drinking From God’s Well.
Bible Reading: John 4: 1-26
Through out the early history of the Israelites, God made provisions for the people and their live stock to have water. So much so, that patriarchs such as Abraham and Jacob, owned wells which many jews, and their livestock would use. Wells, (along with springs, fountains) were also significant landmarks in the topography of Israel. It was a well that the patriarch Jacob dug many years before, in the midst of the grazing land he had purchased from Hamar, for 100 pieces of silver. Jacob made this land his inheritance. It was also the land where Joseph his grandson, would eventually be buried.
Jacob’s well was about nine feet in diameter, and 75 feet deep. However, scholars believe it was much deeper in ancient times. The well overflowed with water. It is still being used in this century, especially after heavy rainfall. In our bible reading, Jesus decided to sit and rest at Jacob’s well. (AKA Well of Sychar and Jacob’s fountain.) A well that is situated in Northern of Kingdom of Israel, following its conquest by the Assyrians. The Samaritans were a group of people who originated form the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which was Samaria. The Southern Kingdom of Israel disliked the Samaritans because they refused to accept Jerusalem and its temple, as the central place to worship Yahweh. To the Samaritans, Mount Gerizim, and the temple on it, was the focus of their religious life. The Jews shunned the Samaritans because they believed they were pagan worshippers.
The Jews would even go as far as to take the long route to their destination, rather than go through Samaria. But not Jesus! (verse 4) Jesus needed to let the people know that Jacob’s well could quench their physical thirst, to maintain their physical life. But there was a new well in town. A well that not only ran deeper than Jacob’s, but one that would quinch the thirst of all mankind’s souls.
Jesus engages with the Israelite outcast, (Verse 9) in conversation. He opened up the truth to her, by letting her know that the water He offered, would never leave her thirsty ever again. This water Jesus offered is ‘living water.’ (verses 1- -11). ‘Living water’ It would never be stagnant; It would never run dry; it would always quench thirst, and it would always be available to EVERYBODY who chose to drink from it. Infact, if we drink the water the Jesus gives to us, we will never thirst, but this water Jesus gives to us, would becomes in us, a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.
During our Prayer and Fasting:
• Ask Jesus to give you ‘the living water’ so that your soul will never thirst again.
• Consider the fountain of Jesus through the Holy Spirit within you. When you are feeling low in spirit; upset; unsure; alone; take a moment to sing a praise or worship song out of your fountain or, drink at the well of prayer, or your bible, or just worship and give God thanks, during your trial and tribulation.
• Pray that people in your church family and around the world, would experience Holy Spirit (the living water) who: provides on-going satisfaction and experience of spiritual life; cleanses and sanctifies our hearts if we permit Him to; who will refresh us; quench and bring forth life, wherever He is flowing; and who helps us to be transformed into the image of Christ.
Prayer and Fasting Focus topic: Drinking From God’s Well.
Bible Reading: John 7:37-39
“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”