What actions can we take to prevent "stopping up" blessings in our lives? Setting the Scene: Wells and Blessings Genesis 26:15: “So the Philistines stopped up all the wells that his father’s servants had dug in the days of his father Abraham, filling them with dirt.” Wells meant water, life, growth, and prosperity. When the Philistines filled them with dirt, they cut off the flow of blessing for Isaac’s household. The picture is vivid: when we allow “dirt” to clog our spiritual wells, the flow of God’s favor is hindered. Common Ways We Let the “Dirt” Accumulate • Unchecked sin (Isaiah 59:1-2; Psalm 66:18) • Bitterness and unforgiveness (Hebrews 12:15; Mark 11:25) • Pride and self-reliance (James 4:6-10) • Neglect of God’s Word (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2-3) • Withholding generosity (Malachi 3:8-10; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8) • Careless speech and strife (Proverbs 18:21; 1 Peter 3:10-11) Actions That Re-open the Wells of Blessing 1. Repent quickly and thoroughly ‑ Confess specific sins (1 John 1:9). ‑ Turn from them decisively (Proverbs 28:13). 2. Walk in daily forgiveness ‑ Release offenses as Christ forgave us (Ephesians 4:32). ‑ Refuse to rehearse old wounds; let healing flow (Colossians 3:13). 3. Cultivate humility and dependence on God ‑ Submit every plan to Him (Proverbs 3:5-6). ‑ Welcome His correction (Hebrews 12:5-11). 4. Keep the Word central ‑ Meditate on it day and night (Psalm 119:97). ‑ Obey promptly, even in small things (John 14:21). 5. Practice cheerful generosity ‑ Honor the Lord with firstfruits (Proverbs 3:9-10). ‑ Look for opportunities to bless others (Acts 20:35). 6. Guard your tongue and pursue peace ‑ Speak life-giving words (Ephesians 4:29). ‑ Seek reconciliation quickly (Matthew 5:23-24). 7. Persevere in faith like Isaac ‑ Isaac kept digging new wells until water flowed (Genesis 26:18-22). ‑ Trust God’s timing; refuse to quit (Galatians 6:9). The Promise of an Unstopped Flow God delights to pour out blessing when the hindrances are removed: “Test Me in this… see if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing without measure” (Malachi 3:10). As we clear away the dirt and keep the wells open, we experience the continuous, refreshing flow of His favor in every area of life. |
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