scripture reading: Revelation 2:1–7

Are You Thirsty?

And Isaac dug again the wells of water that had been dug in the days of Abraham his father, which the Philistines had stopped up. . . . (Genesis 26:18)

This incident in the life of Isaac that has much to teach us about revival. Isaac had moved with his family to the valley of Gerar, but there was no water. Now, what did Isaac do when he was face to face with this great need? Notice first of all what he did do. He did not send for prospectors, water diviners, or men who were experts in seeking and discovering fresh supplies of water. No. Isaac took another path, a wiser one. He “dug again the wells” that his father Abraham had dug. He said, “My father was here. He knew how to find water. If I can only find his wells, I will certainly find water.” But when Isaac found the old wells, he made a frightening discovery: The Philistines had filled them in with dirt, debris and rubbish! The water was still there but the way was blocked. So Isaac re-dug the wells that his father had dug. And he found water!

If you study the history of the Church you will discover that every time the Church experienced revival, she was doing what Isaac was doing: re-digging the wells where her forefathers had found refreshment. And so today, if we want find the abundant life that Christ has promised us, we too must get back to artesian well of living water.

There is only one explanation for the state of the Church today. The Philistines have blocked the water supply. The water is there, we can be sure about that. But the way is blocked by dirt and debris. Don’t waste your time praying for revival. There is something you need to do before that. Clear out the rubbish! What then is this rubbish of the Philistines that needs to be cleared away so that we can drink again the pure, sparkling water of life?

1. Unbelief. We imagine that God can’t be trusted and his Word is not reliable.
2. Doctrinal impurity. Fuzzy and erroneous thinking about Jesus, the cross, salvation and the human condition will block the way to springs of water.

3. Turning worship into entertainment.
4. Dead orthodoxy, smug contentment in our spirituality, and fear of emotionalism rob us of any desire to redig the old wells.
5. Spiritual mediocrity and superficiality make us unwilling to invite the Spirit to search our hearts and expose our sin.
6. No passion for the glory of God and no burden for souls that are lost.

Dear friend, are you thirsty? I hope so. Jesus Christ offers living water to everyone who is thirsty (John 4:13–14; 7:37–39). It is free and it’s abundant. However, before you can drink, you may need to clear away some rubbish!

Revival is that strange and sovereign work of God in which he visits his own people, restoring, reanimating and releasing them into the fullness of his blessing. —Stephen F. Olford

point to ponder • To reach the springs of living water one first has to clear away the rubbish that blocks the path.

prayer focus • For the church to come to a place of true repentance and to have the courage to clear away the “rubbish.”