Waters from Above and Waters from Below

Today’s Verse:

Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs. ~Joshua 15:19

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Achsah, the daughter of Caleb, and her husband, Othniel, were possessors of the land of Kirjath-sephir. It was a large area that had great potential for housing, crops, raising animals, and agricultural success. However, it lacked ongoing irrigation beyond the seasonal rains in order for it to be a long-term sustainable location. As soon as Achsah saw and walked this dry, arid, and rocky area, she knew she needed water to make this place successful. She came to her father and asked him to give her springs of water. Without any question or delay, he was pleased to meet her request, and provided her springs of water that would go down from above and come up from beneath. What he gave her is described the upper springs and nether springs. This is a beautiful picture of how our Father in heaven blesses us. He blesses us from above and from beneath.

We see the boldness of her REQUEST.

Her request was the equivalent of an urgent prayer. She was not wavering in her request. She was not making wishful thinking. She made a request that was life-and-death. It was a request of desperation. It was like Rachel who said, “Give me children, or else I die.” It was like Jacob who told the angel at Peniel, “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.” It was like Jabez who prayed, “Oh, that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coasts!” James tells us that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. You won’t do much if you do not pray boldly and with much imagination. What do you need God to bless in your life that would give Him all the glory if He gave it to you?

We see the blessings of RESOURCE.

The location of the land area she possessed required more than one spring of water. Caleb gave her the upper springs and nether springs. This meant he helped redirect two sources of water to give her a continuous supply of water upon which she could rely. This a picture of what God does for us. He gives us blessings from above. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ,” Eph. 1:3. Blessings from above are the peace of God, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, answered prayer, forgiveness of sins, eternal life, wisdom, a refuge in time of storm, vision, and much more. Blessings from beneath are the blessings that encourage us in this life. This could be marriage, family, good health, a successful career, good friendships, our five senses, daily safety, journey’s mercies, a good appetite, and so much more. All blessings have their source in God and God alone.

We see the befitting RESPONSE.

First, we must steward God’s blessings in a way that gives God a return on His investment. David had three friends named Shobi, Machir, and Barzillai who brought of their abundance to David when he was in hiding from Absalom. These men brought him bedding, basins, vessels, and food. These men had been blessed from above, and as a result, they gave of their abundance to help David. The church at Antioch took up a generous love offering and sent it to Jerusalem to help the needy believers there. All of us have been blessed so that we can respond according to our ability. Second, we must continuously acknowledge all blessings as coming from the hand of our Heavenly Father. The doxology says, “Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.” God is the giver of every gift. Achsah never forgot that without her father’s blessing, her life would have been much more difficult.

Take time to thank the Lord for His blessings from above and from beneath. Don’t take the springs of water for granted!

Have a resourceful God Morning!

Bible Reading Schedule: Exodus 28-29

#Blessings #Joshua