Genesis 26:17-24

17 “Isaac departed and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar and dwelt there.

18 Isaac dug again the wells of water, which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father, for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham; and he called their names by which his father had called them.

19 And Isaac’s servants dug in the valley, and found there a well of springing water.

20 And the herdmen of Gerar strove with Isaac’s herdmen, saying, The water is ours: and they called the name of the well, Esek, because they strove with him.

21 And they dug another well, and strove for that also: and he called the name of it Sitnah.

22 And he removed from thence, and dug another well: and for that they did not strive: and he called the name of it REHOBOTH; and he said, For now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.

23 And he went up from there to Beersheba.

24 And the Lord appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with you, and will bless you, and multiply your seed for my servant Abraham’s sake.”

Hopefully, we have all had mentors who have directed us to a personal walk with the Lord and who have been a living demonstration of the life of Christ to us. Arthur, our beloved Father in the Faith and mentor, has now passed into the presence of the Lord. We cannot walk in another man’s shoes, but the teaching and revelation of God that came through him is the legacy and heritage that we appreciate.

The above passage of scripture is an encouragement to “dig again the wells of our father.” At the first well, Esek, there was contention, at the next, Sitnah, was enmity, but at the THIRD well, Rehoboth, the Lord had made room for them and they would be fruitful in the land. TABERNACLES! When God makes room for you and puts His blessing upon you, you do not have to fight your corner or quarrel with the disagreeable “herdsmen.” God will deal with them as you pray a blessing upon them and forgive their trespasses against you, their enmity is not your concern. God’s justice is perfectly balanced with compassion and will work with everything from His side to offer unity.

Rehoboth! God has made room for us and we shall be fruitful in the land. The well that has been dug, we will dig again. This is a new era, our beloved mentor has passed, but God’s process in our lives has not altered. God is continually pruning us for the glory of God.

John 5:30 (Amplified version) Jesus said…..
“I am able to do nothing from Myself (independently, of My own accord – but only as I am taught by God and as I get His orders). Even as I hear, I judge (I decide as I am bidden to decide. As the voice comes to Me, so I give a decision), And My judgement is right (just, righteous), because I do not seek or consult My own will (I have no desire to do what is pleasing to Myself, My own aim, My own purpose) but only the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent Me.”

The above is only attainable by the life of Christ within me as I yield my will to His in humility and choice. When I make a choice and bow to God’s will, the miracle of the divine exchange takes place. God….oh hallelujah!….comes alongside of my choice and pours in the Holy Ghost oil of His enablement to fulfill His will through me. Then I find the absolute joy of doing His commandments, for they are most surely not grievous, as the joy and peace of His presence carry me I find the words of the Psalmist my experience too, “I delight to do Thy will, Oh God.” A yielded life is a fulfilled one and carries me through to my divine destiny and birthright.

John 5:30 is fullness. My heart would scream at me and say, “I’ll never do it!” in condemnation. Be encouraged, God is greater than your heart. It is true…you…will never do it, you cannot, but the life of Christ within you can. Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” When Christ does it through me, I can be at my most dangerous if I think it is me doing it! God does the work, the credit, the glory is all His! I am just a vessel for His glory to use as He wills. Christ in me is the only way that John 5:30 will be fulfilled. The Indwelling Christ makes the impossible possible!

Let us encourage ourselves in God, that “He who began a good work in you, will continue it to the day of Jesus Christ.” The Lord will not give up on us. We are in the process, and God is in the process, working with us, lovingly shaping His “lumps of clay”, refining them in His fire, to bring forth a vessel of honour for His glory.

To end with a quote from Arthur…Living Epistles.

“I thought a letter was something I received in the mail, in an envelope. But the Lord showed me that I can be a “let-er” as I “let God” say through me, as I let Him guide me, as I let Him “do” through me, as I let Him express Himself through me……”Living epistles, known and read of all men.”

“Let the peace of God rule in your hearts,” Colossians 3:15

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,” Phil. 2:5

Humility is the key. Our lives speak!…..to my glory or to God’s?