Well-digging, Part II

by: Cassia Glass - Houston, Texas

“This is just not working out.”

“It’s not you. It’s me.”

“I’m sorry to tell you this, but….”

Ugh. I hate those “let down” lines. They are harsh when we thought we were moving ahead on a great adventure or relationship, only to find a door slamming in our face. They are doubly harsh when we truly believed we were on the path God had for us and then find the path disappearing beneath our feet.

Our well-digging friend Isaac was in the same situation in Genesis 26.  After years of fighting over his dad's old wells with the Philistines, he eventually moves to a new section of the country and goes looking for new water altogether.  But just as his men start digging a brand new well, the Philistines come and start fighting over that one, too!  And the next one.  Isaac even starts naming the wells things like “Esek” (Quarrel) and “Sitnah” (Accusation). There’s a kind of bitter humor here. And frankly, I kind of like that he named them like that. Because when we are trying to move forward and things are not working out, sometimes it helps to just call things for what they are.


That perfect job that turned out to be a disaster? Call that one “Disappointment.” Or that relationship that completely de-railed, perhaps that’s “Trainwreck.” That hurt that’s so deep you can barely breathe when you remember it, there’s a name for that, too. It’s ok to look at it and acknowledge it.

But we cannot stay there or we will wither away!

Isaac didn’t stay camped out at Esek and Sitnah either. Likely he was motivated by practicalities, i.e. the need for water as he reclaimed his inheritance, but perhaps he was also driven to create something all his own. Either way, he kept on searching and digging. And this next well was different.

Finally, he found water in a spot where no one was fighting. He had room to live and breathe, and he called that well “Rehoboth” (Spaciousness). He was able to water his flocks, and yes, maybe stop with all the digging, for goodness’ sakes.  

Even so, that well was not the final reward. Genesis 26:23-24 says that Isaac moved on from that spot to a place called Beersheba where he found something far greater than water: “And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, ‘I am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for My servant Abraham's sake.’” God showed up big. He reconfirmed everything He had promised. He rewarded Isaac’s perseverance, all that searching and well-digging, with a revelation of Himself.

And Isaac’s response?  Isaac built an altar, had a peace ceremony with the Philistines, and yep, his men dug one more well. Isaac called this one “Shebah” – the Oath, and while it may have been to mark the peace ceremony, I can’t help but believe it marked a spiritual reality. Isaac had his inheritance, not because he had second-hand knowledge that he’d someday be the heir, not because it came easy or just fell into his lap, but because he kept searching and digging until he met the One Who keeps His promises. The One Who is the antidote to fear and the well-spring of endless blessing.

If that’s what, or Who, is really out there at the end of all the days of digging, then maybe you and I can keep digging just a little bit longer, too.

.   .   .   .   .   .

Father, I take my stand in the name of Jesus, the One who is mightier than Abraham, Moses and David, all of whom You loved and called friends. My Jesus has completed Your promises—they all have their “Yes” in Him. Open the wells of my heart, open my faith-eyes to see and know the hope of Your calling, the rich inheritance in the saints, and the exceeding greatness of Your power toward believers. All things are under your power, Lord Jesus, and they are mine to inherit.