02/17/2019
Where do you make your home, and why? Is there a certain spiritual place that you simply visit from time to time, or have you found a place where God is, and made this your residence? Sometimes we live in a location because it suits our physical needs, or maybe because it is aesthetically pleasing and beautiful, but we should make our home where God is. We should never stray far from where our spirit converses with God.
“After the death of Abraham, God blessed Isaac his son. And Isaac settled at Beer-lahai-roi.”
Genesis 25:11 ESV
This is a well that was named by Hagar, and is where the Lord instructed her to go back to Sarai, who had been treated her poorly when she found her to be expecting Ishmael, and this is also where God promised to multiply Hagar’s offspring. The public edition of the M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary tells us that Beer-lahai-roi means either “the well of Him that liveth, and seeth me.” Or, “the well of the vision of life.” But most agree on the former. Listen as scripture gives us the meaning... “the well of Him that liveth, and seeth me.”
“So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, "You are a God of seeing," for she said, "Truly here I have seen him who looks after me." Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; it lies between Kadesh and Bered.”
Genesis 16:13-14 ESV
God makes Himself known to man in many places, but when we find one of these that is significant we should make this the place we settle. So many people visit a “house of God” on the high holidays like Christmas, or Easter, then retreat to their earthly home to live out another year... or two... or three. If you are one of these my question to you is this... “did God speak to you while you were there?” If not, why do you continue going back, and wasting the precious time God has given you? Sometimes we stumble upon a place like Hagar did when God sent an angel to her at a previously unnamed well, but sometimes we are like Isaac and go to a place that is well known to be where God reveals Himself. Whichever it is, if God speaks to you there, make this place your home until God sends you elsewhere.
“Now there was a famine in the land, besides the former famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Gerar to Abimelech king of the Philistines. And the Lord appeared to him and said, "Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you. Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you, for to you and to your offspring I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father.”
Genesis 26:1-3 ESV
We receive blessings when we go where God sends us, and dwell there with Him. He blessed Hagar, and He blessed Isaac at Beer-lahai-roi; He blessed Abraham each place He sent him...
“Now the Lord said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.”
Genesis 12:1-2 ESV
It doesn’t take long to realize that God has a certain place for each of us where he speaks clearly to us, and blesses us. For some it might be a well or a cave, but for others it might be a church, and perhaps even a tiny unlikely place like your car, or prayer closet. Wherever it is that God speaks to you then continue to meet Him there until He sends you elsewhere. If you are still searching for that place, for the voice of God, then listen to the accounts of others and go to where He has a history of speaking... that is always a good start. Sometimes we will find that He meets us along the way as we travel to get there. This happened to Saul who eventually became Paul.
Are you abiding where the Spirit reveals itself, or are you just visiting here and there? Are you listening for the voice of God to speak to you at a certain place? Be prepared for the Lord to guide you, and then make that place your home... until you are sent to the next place, and the next blessing.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your voice, and the places where you speak to us. Thank you Holy Father for the blessings you bestow on us when we come to your holy ground, and make it our home. Lead us on Lord as you grow our understanding of you, and bless us all the more in our obedience to your will. When we become lost Father, then find us there, and lead us... instruct us. Keep your hand on our shoulder and your voice in our ear.
Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who prepares a place for me to meet with you, and allows me to make this place my home. Merciful are you who comes for me when I am lost, and calls for me. Great is your name, and your glory lives on forever! All Praise and worship be yours Gracious Father, for in your presence and places I am blessed beyond all measure.
Rich Forbes