Over the past two weeks, I have been reading Hinds Feet on High Places and Mountains of Spices, by Hannah Hurnard. Both of these books are allegories taken from the Song of Songs in the Bible. It has really boosted my faith. Although I have read these books several times in the past, they brought fresh zeal to my soul.
This weekend, I went with a friend to West Baden Springs, a wonderful resort in southern Indiana. It was an annual trip, as last year, we were down at French Lick Resort and visited West Baden Springs. The resorts are built around seven (7) mineral springs which have been filled in and sealed by the Jesuits some 25-40 years ago. I was not aware of this until this year, as we were touring the grounds in unseasonable weather for February (60 degrees).
There was a hill behind one of the springs that led up to a cemetery located half way up. I had a strong compelling to climb the hill and on Saturday, I hiked up to the cemetery where a number of the Jesuits had been buried in the early and mid twentieth century. But something drew me further up the hill.
As I climbed, I thought about the faith heroes who "walked with God." Adam walked with God in the cool of the day. Enoch walked with God and was not, for God took him. Noah walked with God, by faith, and preserved life. Abraham walked with God and was a friend of God. Moses walked with God and spoke with God as a friend talks with his friend.
When I reached the top of the hill overlooking the resort and town, I began talking with God about the "springs shut up" knowing that God had brought me to this place to see that all but one spring had been stopped up by the well-meaning priest. I'm sure they thought they were doing a good service, but nonetheless, the springs were permanently sealed in concrete.
But the Holy Spirit directed my thoughts to others "Springs" that had been sealed up. Jonathan singing at one of the springs These were the wells that Abraham had dug. Very interestingly, one of the wells names was Beersheva "seven wells". Yet, another confirmation that God had led me on this trip. We read in Genesis 26:18, And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philitines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called them after the names by which his father had called them.
One of the names of the wells was Esek - meaning contention. The next well was the name Sitnah: in Hebrew the root is the same as Satan, meaning opposition. The third well Isaac dug was the name Rehoboth - plenty of space. Therefore with joy shall you draw water out of the wells of Yeshua (salvation). Isaiah 12:3 We find Jesus declaring on the last day of the feast of Tabernacles: If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:37-38.
Now, I have not come to the full revelation of all that this trip meant for me, but as I came down the hillside, I was a bit leery on where to place my feet, because of the steepness of the hill. But, I began to think about the meaning of Faith. It is a sure foothold. The word faith in its most literal sense means steadfast. God maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places. Psalms 18:33.
 | |
| A deer during the summer at a State Park. |
Another lovely Psalm comes to mind, as I sit reflecting on these things: As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, Oh God. I believe it was these words that inspired an author to write about God Chasers. And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD. (Jeremiah 29:13)
