Hagar had found deliverance at this well once. Ishmael had drunk from the water that God—who lives and sees the sons of men—had so graciously revealed. But theirs was a merely casual visit. The kind worldlings make to the Lord when it serves their turn. They cry to him in trouble, but forsake him in prosperity.

Isaac dwelt there. He made the well of the living, all-seeing God his constant source of supply. And that tells you everything. The usual tenor of a man's life—where his soul dwells—that's the true test of his state.

Perhaps Hagar's providential visitation struck Isaac's mind and led him to revere this place. The well's mystical name endeared it to him: "The Living One who sees me." His frequent musings by its brim at eventide made him familiar with the well. Meeting Rebecca there had made his spirit feel at home. But best of all—the fact that he there enjoyed fellowship with the living God had made him select that hallowed ground for his dwelling.

Let us learn to live in the presence of the living God! Let us pray the Holy Spirit that this day, and every other day, we may feel, "Thou God seest me." May the Lord Jehovah be as a well to us—delightful, comforting, unfailing, springing up unto eternal life.

The bottle of the creature cracks and dries up, but the well of the Creator never fails. Happy is he who dwells at the well, with abundant and constant supplies near at hand!

The Lord has been a sure helper to others. His name is Shaddai—God All-Sufficient. Our hearts have often had most delightful intercourse with him. Through him our soul has found her glorious Husband, the Lord Jesus. In him this day we live, and move, and have our being.

Let us, then, dwell in closest fellowship with him. Glorious Lord, constrain us that we may never leave thee, but dwell by the well of the living God!