Take Back the Well
This message, filled with vivid biblical stories and profound spiritual lessons, is a clarion call for all of us to revive the wells in our lives—those places of joy, hope, and spiritual prosperity that may have become clogged with the dirt of life's challenges.
The Biblical Foundation: Isaac and the Wells
The message took root in Genesis 26, where we encounter Isaac, the promised son of Abraham. Isaac has an incredible heritage of God's promise and faithfulness, yet he faced significant challenges. The Philistines, envious of Isaac's blessings, filled his wells with dirt, attempting to stymie his prosperity. These wells, once sources of life-sustaining water, were obstructed, symbolizing potential areas in our own lives that may be clogged or dried up due to various obstacles.
The Significance of Wells and Altars
Throughout the Old Testament, we find that taking new territory involved two significant actions: building altars and digging wells. Altars signified communion with God, representing worship, sacrifice, and divine encounters. Wells, on the other hand, were crucial for physical sustenance, providing water for crops, livestock, and families.
When Isaac began to re-dig the wells that the Philistines had filled, he wasn't just restoring a water source; he was reclaiming the legacy of his father, Abraham. This act of reopening the wells symbolized an act of faith, persistence, and spiritual resilience.
The Enemy's Tactic: Filling the Wells
The Philistines' act of filling the wells with dirt is a potent metaphor for how the enemy attempts to obstruct our spiritual lives. The “dirt” can represent the chaos of life, distractions, sin, sickness, or any obstacles that keep us from experiencing the fullness of God's blessings. When our wells are filled with dirt, our connection to the living water—the Holy Spirit—can seem distant or inaccessible.
Three Fears of the Enemy
As we delve into the sermon, three primary fears emerge that the enemy holds regarding our spiritual wells:
Accelerated Harvest: The enemy fears that if we re-dig our spiritual wells, our harvest will accelerate. Just as Isaac experienced a hundredfold harvest, a spiritually replenished life can lead to exponential growth in our personal and communal faith journeys.
Supernatural Power: When we reconnect with our spiritual wells, a supernatural power flows through us, making us formidable against any adversary. This power isn't about our strength but reflects God's unlimited strength in us. Isaac's experience teaches us that the enemy recognizes our potential for supernatural influence when our spiritual lives are vibrant.
Wide Open Spaces: Fresh wells produce wide open spaces, fostering new opportunities, visions, and ministries. The enemy aims to confine and isolate us, but God’s intention is for us to experience the freedom and expansiveness that come from a life-giving spiritual well.
The Call to Action: Picking Up the Shovel
The sermon encouraged us to pick up the shovel and start re-digging our wells. This metaphorical shovel represents our prayer life, worship, faithfulness, and service. It’s about actively participating in our spiritual revival:
Prayer and Worship: These are our offensive weapons against spiritual stagnation. They connect us with the mind of Christ and His strategies for our lives.
Faithfulness and Serving: Consistent devotion and acts of service keep our wells flowing, ensuring that the waters of the Holy Spirit continually refresh and bless us.
Practical Steps: Re-digging Our Wells
Identify the Dirt: Reflect on what has filled your well. Is it distractions, sin, unresolved conflicts, or past traumas? Recognize the areas that need clearing.
Build Altars of Worship: Cultivate a habit of regular worship and thanksgiving. Build altars in your heart and home where you encounter God's presence.
Consistent Prayer: Commit to a daily routine of prayer. Use this time to connect deeply with God, seeking His guidance and strength.
Service and Community: Engage in acts of service within your church and community. Let your faith be expressed in actions that bless others.
Conclusion: A Renewed Commitment
In conclusion, taking back the well in our lives means recommitting to those spiritual practices that connect us with God's abundant life. It requires recognizing the enemy's attempts to obstruct us and responding with faith and action. As we re-dig our wells, we will find that God's promises, power, and provisions are already there, waiting for us to uncover them.
Let’s take up the shovel, Encounter Church, and re-dig those wells. Let's allow the living water of the Holy Spirit to flow freely, bringing refreshing, healing, and abundant harvest in our lives!
