Dig Your Well

“[Who] passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. They go from strength to strength, [every one of them] in Zion appeareth before God.” (Ps 84:6-7 AV)

This is a familiar verse to me and one that is often a reminder.  The overall principle is not lost.  Baca was a valley that ran through Palestine.  It was known as a dry and barren valley containing a few mulberry trees.  At first glance, one would wonder why anyone would travel through this valley on foot.  There are much easier ways to get to the temple.  But for most, it was the most direct route.  Those traveling through the valley would find themselves in need of water.  Both for themselves and also for their cattle.  There were no streams or rivers.  No ponds or lakes.  No sea or shore to which the cattle could retire.  If they needed water, they needed to dig for it.  The word Baca means mourning.  It was the valley Israel took on their pilgrimage to Jerusalem.  In anticipation of confession and atonement, mourning over sin was the normal attitude of the heart for the entire journey.  This valley was also known for thistles and thorns.  An apt example of our life’s journey.  But water is a necessity of life.  Life may bring hardships, but life must go on.  The circumstances of their journey do not relieve them of searching for, and provided the necessity of water.  They were to dig wells in anticipation of God filling them.  That is the meaning of the rain.  The wells were not dug to find water.  They were dug to contain the water God would send.

Note also that the pilgrim went from strength to strength.  That means the pilgrim did not receive all the strength he would need for the entire journey all at once.  He went from one source of strength to the next.  They went from one well to the next.  They went from one source of life and encouragement to the next.  They did not sit still.  They kept moving.  They did not sit down at a well and stay there until it was dry.  There was a plan.  There was a date.  There was a timeline they had to keep.  Each new mile brought unique challenges.  More thorns to clear away.  More holes to dig.  More wells to make.  One might think there would be wells dug all over the place.  After a while, one would think there would be sufficient wells dug and no need to dig more.  The thing is, the water contained therein would be very temporary.  Erosion would fill the holes.  Wild animals would use the holes and contaminate them.  Therefore, they were filled in once they moved.  These wells were unique to the individual pilgrims.  They did not share wells.  Each one had to provide a place and conditions to receive God’s blessing.

As life becomes more of a challenge, it is important to dig some wells.  Life is difficult.  Only those who trust in the LORD can survive and thrive.  Yesterday, my wife and I tried a new breakfast place.  It was terrific.  It is called the Golden Nest.  Milwaukee has these breakfast/brunch restaurants.  They are wonderful.  They are great places to go for good food and no alcohol.  The service was great.  Our waiter was funny.  It was just what we needed.  We were coming from a treatment at the hospital.  Not a particularly uncomfortable treatment.  But every time we go to the hospital, we are reminded of the burden we bear.  So, we try to have a fun date after the appointment.  This makes our trip more about the date and less about the trials of life.  You have to dig a well.  You have to prepare circumstances into which the LORD can bring the rain.  You have to have time away from the hardships of life.  We need some ‘me’ time.  We need a time and circumstance set apart from the immediate trials of life where the LORD can pour our blessings and strength.  Baca was a hard journey.  But the blessings of God’s rain made it survivable.  Don’t rush through one trial after another as if it is a sporting contest.  You need times of blessings.  Don’t forget the dig your well and pray for rain!