Wells of Living Water

[0:00] Genesis chapter 26. And we'll read again verse 15. Genesis 26 at verse 15.

[0:18] So all the wells that his father's servants had dug in the time of his father Abraham, the Philistines stopped them, filling them with earth.

[0:34] And especially the last words of this verse, the Philistines stopped them, filling them with earth.

[0:48] Here we have an account of Isaac. In this land where wells were very important. It was important for the people and it was important for their flocks.

[1:04] And it was important for people to meet too when they were watering their flocks and herds.

[1:17] And many a person met at wells. In a couple of chapters before this, the Lord God spoke to Hagar.

[1:31] When she saw that her son Ishmael was going to die with thirst. The angels of heaven spoke to her.

[1:42] And when her eyes were opened, when God opened her eyes, she saw a well of water. And she gave a drink to her son. But envy closed the wells.

[2:01] Isaac was getting richer and richer. And his flocks and herds were getting bigger and bigger. And we have an account here that he planted a hundredfold was the result of what he sowed.

[2:21] And he was growing and growing. For the Lord was blessing him all the time. And because of envy, the Philistines closed the wells with earth.

[2:36] And the role was a danger with envy. Was it not envy that caused the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to go to our cross on Calvary?

[2:54] Because the high priests, they were envious of him. And the people were following him. And he was getting more and more popular.

[3:08] And they were seeing that all the people in the end would follow him. So they decided to put him to death. But the question for us is, have the Philistines closed our wells?

[3:29] Each and every one of us know, those that have their eyes opened, that we have Philistines within our own household, the household of our own hearts.

[3:44] Those that speak to us, when we have tried, they say to us, where is thy God? And the Philistines try to close the wells, whichever parents and grandparents drank from.

[4:07] And we remember, we were fortunate in these islands, for what they taught us when we were very young.

[4:19] They had morning and evening worship. And I hope that none of us has closed our wells, that the Philistines haven't made us close them.

[4:36] To come to the Lord in prayer, morning and evening, and also to read his good book. The Philistines, that could be named for that, we could be careless.

[4:55] The Philistines of carelessness make us idle, to open God's world. And our parents and grandparents, they were always at the place of worship, morning and evening, not only putting their own family in the safe hands of the Saviour, but those that were dangerous, on the sea and in the air and on land, especially at the time of war.

[5:35] They would be always remembering them, in their prayers. And many of our parents, were sailors on the sea, and they knew their danger, especially at time of war.

[5:53] They had to fight, the seas and the storms and all that. But they had also to fight the enemies, that were under the sea, and on the sea, and above the sea, in the air.

[6:11] And they always put their trust, in the Saviour, that He would guide them, to the haven of their own choice. I hope that each and every one of us, will remember to keep that wells open, in our daily walk with our God.

[6:32] And also on the Sabbath day, they showed us, and took us to the wells, where we got blessings for ourselves, and where others got blessings, where they met, and had sweet fellowship, with each other.

[6:53] It was at this well that, many met, friends that they had for life. Just the same as, Abraham, sent his servants, to find, a wife for Isaac, and he found Rebecca.

[7:14] And Rebecca came and, became, Isaac's wife. And also later on, Jacob, met Richard, at the well also.

[7:27] And they, became man and woman. But, it's the marriage, that lasts for time, and for eternity, that, people have met, at the well of, Sabbath, worship.

[7:48] They met with the Lord, and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Sometimes, when they were not, expecting it. The Lord spoke to them.

[8:00] And because, the Lord spoke to them, they obeyed. And there was no, turning back, then. And there, and also the, there's the, well of the, prayer meeting.

[8:17] The midweek, prayer meeting. We used to see, the people about us, neighbors, even at the time of harvest.

[8:29] And even, although the, weather was unkind, at times. And then, there would be a good spell, and even, in the good spell, they would leave, everything, and go to the, prayer meeting.

[8:43] Because they, were finding, that the, well of the, prayer meeting, was quenching, their spiritual, thirst.

[8:55] And they were, getting blessings, for their soul. And also, when we were, very young, we were taught, to go to the places, where the, death had come, into the home.

[9:12] And there would be, family worship. and also, the day of the funeral. What I see, such a difference, now, is the young people.

[9:25] They're not, so often, at the funerals. And now, the little island, and the scarpe. All the young, young people, that weren't in school, used to follow, after the coffin.

[9:40] And it was, as if a cloud, of sadness. on the whole island. Especially, when young people, were taken away. Some of them, by drowning.

[9:52] Put a cloud over us, and showed us too, the frailty of man. Also, the brevity of time. And also, the preciousness of time.

[10:05] We all knew, that if we didn't have, our Lord and Savior, as our Redeemer, we knew, that we would be lost. The word of God, was preached to us, in all sincerity.

[10:23] And many a time, I thought it over. If I was lost, it was definitely, because, I didn't give, ear, to the word of God, that I wanted, to go my own way.

[10:40] And though, I was on the, clean side, of the narrow way, if you're on the narrow way, on the clean side, of the broad way, if you're on any side, of the broad way, you're as lost, on one side, as you are, on the other.

[10:57] And the, sooner you get off, on the, next exit, is head, of the cross, at Calvary.

[11:10] That's where we found, shelter, and that's where we found, peace. Now, the well, that has its source, coming from the, cross of Christ.

[11:33] The open, arms of Jesus Christ, on the cross, at Calvary. It beckons all, to come to him. He was the sacrifice, that, ended all sacrifices, for our sins.

[11:54] When, Adam sinned, in the garden of Eden, God had to, cover, his nakedness, with the skins, of animals.

[12:09] These animals, were the first sacrifices, of our death. But these sacrifices, were only pointers, to the day, when, God himself, would find a lamb, as the pure sacrifice.

[12:32] Abraham's faith, was tried, when he was told, to go, to the Mount Moriah, and sacrifice, his son, Isaac. And as sure, as, Abraham, lifted the knife, to strike, Isaac's son, he was also ready, to take the knife down, and kill him.

[12:56] For he believed, that God would, bring him up, from the dead again. But before that, Isaac had said, the fire, and the wood, begets the lamb.

[13:13] And Abraham said, God would provide, for himself a lamb. God did provide, himself, a lamb. On Mount, Moriah, when Abraham, looked behind him, a lamb, a ram, found in a thicket, caught by his horns.

[13:37] And that, took place, of his own son, as a sacrifice. But on Mount, Calvary, there was no, ram in a thicket.

[13:51] He had to, be the sacrifice. His disciples, had fled. The women, were far off. And the loneliness, of that thou, who can, understand it.

[14:09] When he said, my God, my God, why hast thou, forsaken me? This was, our Saviour. He knew, the blessings of heaven, the richness, of the communion, he had, with the Father, and with the Spirit.

[14:28] And now, all alone, when he took on, the sins, of his own people, on the cross, at Calvary. Who can, understand it?

[14:41] And if we, are not, converted, by the cross, of Christ, what would, not, convert us? We cannot, take the cross, of Christ, out of, Christianity.

[14:56] And there's, no shortcut, to heaven, unless we, come, and understand, that the, son of God, had to die, for us, on our cross.

[15:08] He took, on our sins, in our place, and in our stead. If you're going, out from, in our nest, you can bypass, our nest, and, Thain, and Donagh, and going, down south, you can, bypass, quite a lot, of places, Moy, and, Tomaten, and, Abimor, and, Pitlochri, and all that, till you reach, Perth.

[15:36] But on your way, to heaven, you cannot, bypass the cross. Because, this is where, our saviour, died, for us, in our room, and in our stead.

[15:53] When I was, with the forestry, they had, in the quiet days, in winter, they had, to burn, controlled burning, it was called.

[16:05] They used to burn, about, about 10 metres, at least, from the perimeter, of the outside, of the forestry, plantation. And when they did this, and then, at this time of the year, with the white grass, and the moolan fires, it would come, over the hills, and spread, just quickly.

[16:30] But when it came, to the, fire thraces, that was burnt already, it would stop. And this is, where, God's people, find refuge.

[16:44] The fire, of God's, raged, came on, upon, his own son, and it burnt, round the cross.

[16:56] And this is, where we'll find refuge, in this safe place, because it was burnt already. And, when it was burnt already, it wouldn't burn, the second time.

[17:12] This is where we flee, because, Jesus himself, took on, no sins. And, God, dead, without sins, in the person, of Jesus Christ.

[17:27] The story, is told about, a hen, that had chickens, and she was in the farmyard, but this day, she wandered out, in the field, and quickly, a fire came, and, destroyed that field.

[17:47] But, before the fire, reached, the hen, she called her chicks, under her wing. And, they were saved. And, one of the, servants, of the farm, came, and, he took all of the, burnt, hen, lifted it up, and, there, the chickens, were all alive.

[18:12] And, just telling us, that, Jesus himself, wanted, as, to be found, as, a hen, gatherer, brood, under her wings.

[18:25] He knew, his people, would be saved, under his wings, and, under his, his wings only. This, then, was what happened, to the, farm yard, and, she gave up her life, but she saved her chicks.

[18:45] Jesus Christ, gave up his life, to save us. And, that's the well, that comes from, from eternity.

[18:57] when he, took over, and, the, the, the, well, that, has its source, at the resurrection, of Christ.

[19:14] The joy, it is, to, come to, Jesus Christ, in knowing, that our, saviour lives, and, intercedes, for us. He took, the sting, out of death, the victory, from the grave.

[19:29] And, because he lives, we will live also. We can, face all the, tomorrow's, and what, tomorrow's, will throw, against us.

[19:39] The Lord, will give us, strength, to, overcome, all that, stands in our way. The great joy, that we have, in our living saviour.

[19:58] When we, know that we have, a saviour, that, knows all our weakness. I remember, the night, I was speaking, at the prayer meeting, and, we find ourselves, so free, with great speakers, like ministers, and others too.

[20:20] And, the minister's father said, Johnny says, if you knew, what goes through, my mind at times, you wouldn't say, that, you were unworthy, to, time assures.

[20:37] We all have, our own worries, and concerns. And, we have thoughts, coming from the Philistines, putting things, through our minds.

[20:51] And, however dark, we see ourselves, remember, that Jesus knows us, better than, we know ourselves. We only touch, on the, on the, sins we know.

[21:05] and, the impurities, we have in our lives. He only shows us, a little. But, he only shows us, a little of the, blessings we have, if we come to himself, also.

[21:20] And, those that, those that, put their trust in him, will never, be put to shame. The, wells of, we find in, Christian, kindness, long life's way.

[21:36] I used to go, from place to place, especially, especially in the, north of Scotland. And, especially with those, that were, followers of Christ. Words cannot express, the kindness, they show to me, a stranger going, among them, and even to their, places of worship.

[21:56] There's no, people like God's people, wherever you find them, and wherever, whatever church, they belong to. They show that kindness.

[22:10] The lady, lifts her, head, high above the thorns. And, though the being, though the bee has the sting, he also, has the honey.

[22:25] And it's the honey, we remember, often, and not the sting. And then, we know that we have, the source that comes, from the intercession, of Christ.

[22:41] We know that our Savior, lives, and intercedes for us, at God's right hand. He's there, morning, noon and night. 24-7.

[22:54] In the small hours, of the morning, even when we're trying, to find, a text, to preach, He comes, and He gives us, words, and I don't suppose, you heard a sermon, on this text before.

[23:12] But this is what was put on my, mind to tell you tonight. These, wells, that the Philistines, try to close.

[23:23] and I wouldn't like, any of you, to close, close, the wells, of the invitation, of the gospel, to you all.

[23:35] What God, delights in, and what Jesus, delights in, is that all would come, in repentance, to Him, and get to know, as their personal friend, and Savior.

[23:48] Jesus, has no delight, in those, that die, in their sins. And it's, when we try, to, think upon, what it is, to be without Christ, at the last day.

[24:09] When people, are ushered, away from His presence, forever. As we hear today. Who can understand it? Our minds, just, bounced off it.

[24:21] Just as it, does bounce off, the word eternity. We don't know, what the word, eternity means. Everything, we see, with the human eye here, has a time limit.

[24:34] And it, will come to an end soon. But, eternity, goes on and on. And to have an eternity, without your Savior. The emptiness, the coldness, and the separation, it's difficult, for us to understand.

[24:54] So, put your trust, in the Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ, above everything else. To the children, and I was just finished, with a, a wee story, to the children, I used to like.

[25:10] People, that, preachers, that used to tell, a wee story, to the children. The first day, I went to school. Of course, I wasn't, too happy, going to school, because, the boys, that were older than me, used to tell us, that the teachers, had a strap.

[25:31] And, I wasn't used, to this kind of, punishment, at all. At first, I thought, they weren't, from the same planet, as, the ones, I used to know, because, I was met with kindness, all the days, of my life.

[25:47] When I was young, I used to be with, them painting their boats, and, bringing them hammers, and nails, and all that. But this was, the first day in school, and, we had a, teacher from, the south of Harris, she was Flora Morrison, not Flora and Morrison, but, Flora Morrison.

[26:07] And, she was very kind, but, we didn't know, at the time, and, she put us in a line, anything, anyway. And, she says to us, started with the girls, and I was at the end, of the line.

[26:24] And, she started with girls, and asked them, what would they like to be, when they grew up? And, of course, the girls then, as they are now, were aiming high, for nurses, and teachers.

[26:38] But, the boys, it was fishermen, and sailors. Anything to do, with the sea. And, anyway, she came to me, and she says, John, what would you like to be, when you grow up?

[26:50] And, of course, when you're a child, you speak as a child. And, I said, I would like to be a man. And, she says, and she laughed, and I says to myself, she might be, from the same planet, after all.

[27:04] And, but little did I know, many years after that, that, one of her ministers, would use that, as a, children's address. For Pilate said, behold the man.

[27:20] And, of course, though he, falls off, the man Jesus. It's good for the young ones, to aim high too, and, take their studies seriously, and aim for the top.

[27:33] But, above all, I would like to, at the end of life's journey, that they would be with, Jesus. Which is, far better. The hymn, we used to sing, at, Christmas Day, the last words of that, verse, always rings in my ear, happy forever, are his own.

[27:56] And, indeed they are, happy forever, at, Jesus' own family. And, happy will they be, when they, reach home.

[28:07] May the Lord, bless these thoughts, to us, tonight. We call on his name, in prayer.

[28:19] Lord, Heavenly Father, we thank thee again, that we are able, to lift Jesus Christ, to this, group of people, as the one, that draws people, to himself, to have life, to have it, more abundantly.

[28:35] May the peace, of the gospel, be with us, tonight and forever. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.

[28:47] Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.