Joshua 15:18–19

“Give me a blessing; since you have given me land in the South, give me also springs of water.” — Joshua 15:19 (NKJV)

Caleb had given his daughter Achsah a valuable gift—land in the southern region of Judah. But Achsah recognized something important. Land without water, particularly in that dry region, had limited potential for productivity. So she approached her father with a request. She wasn’t rejecting his gift or complaining about what she had received. She was asking for what would make his gift fruitful. And Caleb’s response was remarkable. He didn’t simply give her a spring. He gave her both the upper and lower springs!

There is a wonderful lesson here for the Christian life. God has graciously given us abilities, opportunities, relationships, and responsibilities. But having opportunities and making fruitful use of them are two different things. We can have abilities without accomplishing much. We can be busy serving God without producing lasting spiritual fruit. The problem isn’t necessarily a lack of opportunities, but a lack of the spiritual resources necessary to make the most of them.

Sometimes what we need isn’t more opportunities, but the Spirit’s ability to make us fruitful in the ones we already have.

The pastor struggling with an unresponsive congregation may be tempted to resign and look for more fruitful soil. But perhaps what he needs isn’t another congregation or a different community. Perhaps he needs a fresh empowering of the Holy Spirit to make him fruitful right where God has placed him. The same principle applies to the Christian struggling in a difficult workplace, a challenging relationship, or an unappreciated responsibility. We sometimes assume that fruitfulness requires a change in our circumstances when what we really need is God’s power at work in our present circumstances. Certainly, God sometimes leads us into new fields, but difficulty alone doesn’t mean it’s time to leave.

Achsah didn’t ask her father for different land. She asked for the water that would make the land she already possessed productive. She didn’t need a change of location. She needed a source of life.

Jesus said, “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Fruitfulness isn’t simply the product of human effort, natural ability, or favorable circumstances. It is the result of abiding in Christ and depending upon the Holy Spirit. Just as Achsah’s land needed water to become productive, our lives need the Spirit’s empowering presence to accomplish what God has called us to do.

Perhaps instead of asking God for greater opportunities, we should ask Him for the power to be fruitful in the ones He has already given us. Instead of asking for a larger ministry, we should ask Him to make our present ministry more effective. Instead of longing for greener pastures, we should seek the Spirit’s help to make the most of the field He has entrusted to us.

And remember, Caleb didn’t merely give Achsah a spring. He gave her both the upper and lower springs! His generosity exceeded her request. How much more can we trust our heavenly Father to provide what we need to accomplish His purposes? Jesus reminds us that our Father delights in giving the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him (Luke 11:13).

What has God already placed in your hands? Perhaps your greatest need today isn’t another opportunity, a different assignment, or a change of scenery, but a fresh empowering of the Holy Spirit to make you fruitful where you are.

Before you go in search of greener pastures, ask Him to make you fruitful where you are!

Don’t settle for barren land. Ask Him for the Springs of Life Giving Water!

–PGR