RE-DIGGING THE WELLS

And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged 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 26:18

Introduction

The metaphor of re-digging wells suggests rediscovering and reviving neglected foundational truths of our faith. It’s a call to return to the core practices and experiences that bring us closer to God (Hebrews 10:23).

Imagine a well buried in the desert, still holding life-giving water. Our spiritual journeys can be similar. We may have had deep encounters with God that got buried by life’s challenges. Re-digging our wells involves reviving these experiences and returning to the purest forms of faith (Ephesians 5:14-17).

What Wells Are We Re-Digging?

• Core Practices: Prayer (Ephesians 6:18), Bible study (2 Timothy 2:15), true worship (John 4:23), Christian discipline (1 Corinthians 9:27), obedience (John 14:15), and living holy lives (Romans 12:1).

• Foundation of Faith: Following Biblical truth (John 8:31-32), true discipleship (Romans 1:11), and unity in Christ (John 13:34-35).

• Christian Community: Service (Luke 1:79), good leadership (Nehemiah 7:2), fellowship (1 Corinthians 11:26), and intercessory prayer (Acts 12:5).

How to Re-Dig the Well

1. Commitment: Decide to re-dedicate yourself to these practices (1 Kings 8:61 NIV; Luke 9:62).

2. Seek Truth: Immerse yourself in God’s word to rediscover core principles (Nehemiah 8:1-7).

3. Pray: Prayer is both a well we re-dig and a tool for re-digging. So we must re-establish prayer as a core practice and a means for revival. (Hebrews 4:16).

4. Willingness: Be open to admitting shortcomings and a need for change (1 Peter 5:2).

5. Discipline: Re-engage with the Bible to avoid familiarity breeding neglect (Proverbs 25:28)

6. Humility: Acknowledge when you’ve strayed from God’s path (Philippians 2:3-4; Proverbs 11:2; 1 Peter 5:5-6, James 4:10).

7. Retaining God’s Presence: Actively seek ways to keep God at the center of your life. (Exodus 33:15).

8. Retracing Steps: With discipline, seek the ancient path and patterns of faith, and take steps to get back on the right track. (Jeremiah 6:16,18:15)

9. Attitude to the Word: Stop being familiar with the Word of God. Instead, pursue the genuine, uncorrupted truth in God’s Word (1 Peter 2:2).

10. Activate Faith: Put your faith into action. (James 2:14-17)

11. Determination: Persevere in the process of re-digging the well. (1 Timothy 6:12)

12. Start Now: Don’t delay, begin the journey of renewal today. (2 Corinthians 6: 2; Romans 12:2)

13. Brotherly Love: Cultivate genuine love for one another (1 John 4:20-21).

14. Learn from the Past: Listen to the teachings of past believers (Proverbs 27:17; Philippians 4:9; Deuteronomy 32:7).