Isaac’s father, Abraham, was called a “friend of God”. God delights in and blesses well diggers. Abraham’s nephew chose the well watered plains of Sodom to pasture his herds in. So Abraham took his herds of sheep and goats away from Lot’s into the desert region. Livestock, or men, dying of thirst, is not a pretty sight. Abraham dug numerous wells to bring up water to the thirsty.

After Abraham died, the Philistines came back to reclaim the land and fight against Abraham’s children. The Philistines filled in the wells but take note of what the son of a well digger did. “And Isaac departed and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar and dwelt there. And Isaac dug again the wells of water, which they had dug in the days of Abraham, his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them” (Genesis 26:17-18).

Perhaps you once drank from the reviving fresh, cool water of God’s well. But the enemy has filled your wells in. You are spiritually parched and perishing. The Word of God and church history bears out the fact that people and churches can have their wells filled in by the enemy. The “Philistines” will use all manner of dirt and debris to stop up the flow of life-giving water from the well spring of God.

For some, it may be unbelief in the supernatural power of God to move and act in our day and age. When the cardinal doctrines of the church are neglected or denied, the enemy is filling in the well. In the past, God has raised up men like Paul the apostle, Luther and Wesley, to re-dig the wells of salvation. The Philistines may use the neglect or denial of the person, work, and power of the Holy Spirit. But God raised up unlikely men and women to re-dig the wells so the Holy Spirit could flow again.

Many people are flocking to large, mega-churches. That is good. But some churches and believers never preach about the cross of Christ. Some never mention the word “sin” lest they offend someone. To many, the blood of Jesus is foreign. They know much about success and self-fulfillment but nothing about sharing the sufferings of Christ. (Philippians 3:10)

The Apostle Paul boldly said, “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (I Corinthians 2:2). “Without shedding of blood there is no remission (of sins)” (Hebrews 9:22, 12, 13). Perhaps you need to re-dig the wells of salvation. You can once again have the joy of living water. (John 4:1-14) Isaiah prophesied of that well, “Therefore with joy shall you draw out of the wells of salvation” (Isaiah 12:3).

How do we re-dig the wells that the enemy has stopped up? Jesus Christ sent a message from heaven to the seven churches of Asia. They needed revival. They needed to re-dig the wells. (Revelation 3 – 4) Jesus told them to “Repent and do the first works or else” (Revelation 2:5).

King David needed to re-dig the wells that had been filled in with sin in his life. (Psalm 51) How did he begin to re-dig the wells that had stopped up the joy of his salvation? (Psalm 51:8, 12).

First – David PRAYED. Prayerlessness stops up the well of God’s well of living water. (Isaiah 40:17-31; Psalm 130)

Second – the prayer of CONTRITION and CONFESSION will re-dig the wells of your heart and cleanse from sin. “The sacrifices of God are a broken and contrite heart” (Psalm 51:17). “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:7-9, 10).

Third – lift up and live the TRUTH. “Behold you desire truth in the inward parts” (Psalm 51:6). Proclaim and live the truth. (John 14:6)

Fourth – value and honor the HOLY SPIRIT. “Do not take your Holy Spirit from me” (Psalm 51:11-12). (John 14:16; Luke 11:13)

Fifth – make sharing the GOOD NEWS and EVANGELISM a passion and priority. (Psalm 51:13-14; Romans 10:11-15)

Sixth – live a life of PRAISE to the Redeemer. “O Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall show forth your praise” (Psalm 14-15). (Ephesians 5:18-20)

Are you thirsty and dry? As a chorus urges us, “Lift your hands to the sky”. Re-dig the wells of salvation. Jesus has living water for you that will flow into everlasting life. (John 4:13-14)