Sit Next to the Well

Daily Reading: John 4

Jacob's well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour. (John 4.6)

Devotional Thought: Jesus grew hungry.  He got thirsty.  He faced temptations.  Jesus grew impatient with his hard-hearted disciples.  Jesus could display discouragement.  And, as in this case, he grew weary.

Have you ever gone through one of those periods when “it” just didn’t let up?  Work, home, family, church… everybody and everything wanted a “piece” of you?  And finally, you just had to stop and say: “Enough!”  That’s the picture I get of Jesus when John writes: “Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting by the well.”  He had sent the disciples into town to get lunch.  He just didn’t want to take another step.  I think he was so tired that he didn’t care if he ate.  So, he sat down next to “the well.”

Something strange happened while the disciples were gone, and he was sitting there next to the well.  Another weary soul came along.  She was thirsty for more than the water that was in the well.  She was wearied with the journey of life and longed for something to refresh her soul.  In the face of that need, Jesus himself revived!  And he shared with her living water that would not only quench her thirst but would revitalize her for her journey.  As a matter of fact, it would set her on a whole new journey.

Are you weary?  Sit next to the well!  You’ll find Jesus there.  He is good company to weary souls.  And there, in the company of Jesus, you can drink living water!  “Hallelujah! I have found Him whom my soul so long has craved!  Jesus satisfies my longings.  Through His blood, I now am saved!”

Prayer: How reassuring it is, Lord, to know that "we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are" (Hebrews 4.15).  I join you at the well of living water, O Lord.  Refresh my spirit as I refresh yours, too.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 35.9-17

9 Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord, exulting in his salvation.

10 All my bones shall say, “O Lord, who is like you, delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him, the poor and needy from him who robs him? ”

11 Malicious witnesses rise up; they ask me of things that I do not know.

12 They repay me evil for good; my soul is bereft. 

13 But I, when they were sick—I wore sackcloth; I afflicted myself with fasting; I prayed with head bowed on my chest.

14 I went about as though I grieved for my friend or my brother; as one who laments his mother, I bowed down in mourning.

15 But at my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered; they gathered together against me; wretches whom I did not know tore at me without ceasing;

16 like profane mockers at a feast, they gnash at me with their teeth.

17 How long, O Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their destruction, my precious life from the lions!