Give me also Springs of Water!

The story of Achsah, daughter of Caleb, is nestled in the first chapter of the book of Judges. It was the period after the time of Joshua, and all military conquests had not been completed. The Lord commanded the tribe of Judah to start the conquest of the Canaanite tribes. Caleb the son of Jephunneh, of the tribe of Judah, said, "Whoever attacks Kirjath Sepher and takes it, to him I will give my daughter Achsah as wife (Judges 1:12)." Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took it and so Caleb gave him his daughter Achsah as his wife. Caleb had given his daughter Achsah land in the South. Achsah wanted to ask her father for a field. So, she came to her father said to him, "Give me a blessing; since you have given me land in the South, give me also springs of water(Judges 1:12)."

The South, also known as the Negev, is the semi-arid area between Hebron and Kadesh-Barnea. The Negev extends over Israel's southern region and accounts for more than 60 percent of Israel's land area. Due to its desert-like character, however, this region is sparsely populated. Kirjath Sepher was a city in southern Canaan. When Achsah was given land in the south, they must have been only dry land. So, she asked her father for ‘springs of water!'

The prayer of Achsah is a great model for us. Achsah knew what she wanted, and she was very specific in her request. She boldly came into the presence of her father and asked what she wanted. And her earthly father gave her not just one spring but two springs, the upper spring, and the lower spring! It was one of those scary nights in the hospital and as I was praying the Lord brought this incidence to my mind out of nowhere – of Achsah asking her father for ‘springs of water.' My whole life flashed before me, and the Holy Spirit prompted me to ask for years filled with springs of water! We have come through trials and troubles in our life. We have endured dryness and dreariness in our life. We have suffered physical anguish as well as the anguish of the soul. But today the Lord wants us to ask Him, our heavenly Father, boldly for years filled with ‘springs of water.'

My friend, if an earthly father can give good gifts, will not our heavenly Father also give us? Let us ask our Father for years filled with ‘springs of water.' May the Lord bless us so that we will be a channel of blessing to all around us in the years to come.

Categories: Weekly DevotionalsAuthor: Hephzibah StephenDate: 1st January 2019 Share: newsletterDisplay date: 2nd January 2019

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