SPRINGS OF LIVING WATER
Today’s Reading: Joshua 15
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
Here is David Reynold examining the Bell Cave at Beit Guvrin with its beige-coloured limestone walls. There are about 800 bell-shaped caves located in the area. Many of these caves are linked via an underground network of passageways that connect groups of 40-50 caves. The town of Beit Guvrin replaced the city of Maresha, one of the Judean cities mentioned in the Bible as a city fortified by Rehoboam (Joshua 15:44 and 2 Chronicles 11:5-8).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Joshua 15:19
She answered, “Give me a blessing; since you have given me land in the South, give me also springs of water.” So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.
Joshua 15:16-19 is repeated in Judges 1:12-15. This is evidence of good history. Othniel and Achsah, husband and wife, were first cousins. This arrangement is not uncommon in modern times amongst the indigenous people of the middle east. What was uncommon in ancient times is that a woman would own property. Men of God, such as Caleb, have always recognized women’s rights. In Jesus’ time, women were not allowed to be witnesses in court. Yet, the first witness to the resurrection of Jesus was Mary Magdalene, God’s choice as a witness in the court of human history.
There is an archaeological excavation 13 km southwest of Hebron. There they found two spring-fed chambers, upper and lower, each chamber tapped by a well. The experts believe this is Debir, mentioned in our reading. This is desert land and Achsah needed the blessing of these springs. God has promised to supply our needs. Ask! (Philippians 4:19). Jesus cried out, “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink” (John 7:37-39).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I’m asking You for a blessing. Caleb was an example of Your generous heart. I praise You for Your gift of the wells of Salvation. Please give me grace to drink deeply of the Springs You provide. In Jesus’ Name, Amen! (for worship today, we may want to read several times Isaiah 12).
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Today’s reading and our key verse cause me to think of the woman at the well. Jesus gave her “living water” (full story in John 4:1-42). I’m expecting the blessing of Isaiah 55 (for the entire chapter click here). I want the blessing of God’s thoughts. How can this be? Want to get wet? Isaiah says to go out in the rain. He’s giving a picture of soaking in God’s thoughts, which are expressed in God’s Words. Because I’m soaking every day in God’s Words as I do this blog, I’m confident that I’m thinking God’s thoughts after Him. The result is that God’s purposes are being accomplished and as Isaiah 55:12 tells me, I “shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing.” This is a great blessing!
Yours for being greatly blessed,
David
Another view inside the Bell Cave at Beit Guvrin.
Thank You, Lord, for all Your people- what a blessing indeed! Help us appreciate and love each other. And thank You for being with us. I pray in the blessed name of Jesus, amen
And, encouragement from Michael Youssef: https://ca.ltw.org/read/my-devotional/be-courageous/
Amen Rob.
Thank you for the encouragement from
Michael Youssef.
I needed that today as I am having a very
challenging time now and would appreciate
your prayers for my husband’s heart surgery
to be successful, thanks.
May God be with us always, in Jesus’ Name,Amen.
Amen,Joyce.You will have more prayers than you are aware of,from here and from heaven too.Hugs and blessings
Who Reigns Supreme
May angels’ wings enfold you
As you dream in blissful sleep
And may His love in all you do
Be the treasure that you keep,
Then as you rise to meet the day,
You will remember your dream,
Where angels and you would pray
To the One Who reigns supreme.
GW(Bill) Marshall/06-Jan-16
Amen Rob. God is our Provider – our Everything. Praise His Holy Name. Thank You Lord.
Amen!! Praying for you and your husband, Joyce. Praying for the medical staff and all those involved with his surgery and recovery. God Bless and keep you safe.
I don’t know where his surgery will be, but I feel I should share my story.
My husband had heart surgery in Hamilton and when the took him in for surgery they said to go to a room to wait and the nurse would give progress report. I went to the room, with many others waiting for the nurse. She arrived and went form person to person giving report, than she came to me and said “will you come to a private room” It is unbelievable the thoughts that go through your mind in that short walk. Once inside she said have a chair and I replied, I am here, what is happening. All went well but our particular surgeon did not like his patients discussed in the public area. WOW. I have on occasion felt the need to share that story and have received several hugs from others that had that same experience. It is nice to be in private for news, but would have been nice to have been told that would happen. I was 1200 miles from home and had told family I was fine for us to go by ourselves… the thoughts in those few moments of walking were many.
Very good information from the heart.God bless