And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac, and Isaac dwelt by the well Lahai-roi. Genesis 25:11
We might find it interesting and unusual that Isaac would choose this particular well as the place for his dwelling. It was Hagar, Ishmael’s mother, who had named this well, after the Lord spoke to her there when she had fled from Sarai’s anger. Hagar had recognized that God saw her, knew all about her, and also knew all about the future of her son. The name Lahai-roi means the well of Him that lives and sees me. This was a truth that Isaac recognized as well, and our text says the Lord blessed him. As the saints of God, you and I might also find blessing if we would take up residence at this well.
What Hagar discovered at this well, and what Isaac spent his life appreciating, is that God knows all about us and cares about everything that happens to us. To Hagar it was a place of comfort and encouragement. To Isaac, it was a place of beauty and sustenance. It was also at that well where he met Rebekah when she arrived to be his bride. It was at that well where he knew the riches of God’s blessing. It is at that same well where we will also realize the greatness of God’s blessing.
When we gather for a meeting of the Assembly, it is easy to recognize and feel the Lord’s presence. But when we are working or playing or travelling or visiting, we often tend to forget that we are still in the Lord’s presence, just as much as when we gather with His people for a meeting. What we need to do is recognize that He is with us at all times. He hears every conversation that we speak and hear, He takes every step that we take, He measures every move of our fingers, He sees every word that we read, and sits in the presence of every person whom we encounter. Keeping this in mind will keep us from straying away from His Word and His will.
But God also knows our tomorrow, as Hagar learned at that well. We stumble along in uncertainty most of the time, when we should be walking in confidence in the God Who knows and cares all about us and knows what our tomorrow – and our next year – will bring. Faith in His goodness to us should mark us as we dwell at the well of Him that lives and sees us.
Isaac found great blessing in the constant reminder of God’s perpetual watch over him. God would bless us today if we will keep this precious thought ever before us. -Jim MacIntosh