RE-DIGGING THE WELLS OF REVIVAL
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: Genesis 26:18-22
Key Verse: “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, KJV)
Supporting Texts: Habakkuk 3:2; Psalm 85:6; Isaiah 44:3; Acts 2:1-4
INTRODUCTION:
Every generation faces the temptation to drift away from the spiritual fire that once burned in the hearts of God’s people. The wells of revival — representing prayer, holiness, truth, and power — have been filled with the “earth” of sin, compromise, and worldliness. Like Isaac in Genesis 26, we must re-dig the ancient wells that sustained the patriarchs of faith.
Revival is not a new move of God, but a renewal of what has been lost. It is a restoration of passion, purity, and purpose. When the Church stops drawing from the well of the Holy Spirit, spiritual dryness and barrenness set in. But when we re-dig the wells, living water flows again, refreshing and transforming lives.
Our generation urgently needs to re-dig the wells of revival, to cry out for God’s presence, power, and purity once more. Only then will we see the rivers of living water flow again upon our land.
1. THE MEANING AND SIGNIFICANCE OF RE-DIGGING THE WELLS
Re-digging the wells symbolises restoring the move of God that once flowed powerfully but has been hindered or forgotten.
a) Wells Represent Sources of Life and Refreshing (John 4:14)
Water is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. When wells are blocked, the flow of divine life is hindered.
b) Spiritual Wells Can Be Blocked by Sin and Neglect (Isaiah 59:2)
Sin and worldliness block the flow of the Spirit, resulting in dryness and spiritual decline.
c) Revival Restores the Flow of the Holy Spirit (Ezekiel 47:9)
When the wells are reopened, life begins to flourish again in individuals, families, and churches.
d) Re-digging Requires Effort and Perseverance (Galatians 6:9)
Revival does not come easily. It requires prayer, repentance, and spiritual labour.
Biblical Example: Isaac re-dug his father Abraham’s wells to reclaim what the enemy had buried and to sustain his generation (Genesis 26:18-22).
2. THE WELLS THAT MUST BE RE-DUG
Certain wells are foundational to personal and corporate revival. We must return to these core spiritual disciplines.
a) The Well of Prayer and Intercession (Luke 18:1)
The early church was powerful because it was prayerful. Revival always begins in the secret place.
b) The Well of Holiness and Consecration (Hebrews 12:14)
Without holiness, there can be no sustained move of God. Purity attracts divine presence.
c) The Well of the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
God’s Word is the foundation of revival. Every genuine awakening is Word-centred.
d) The Well of Evangelism and Passion for Souls (Mark 16:15)
When the fire of revival burns, the desire to win souls burns even brighter.
Biblical Example: The early disciples re-dug the wells through prayer, holiness, the Word, and evangelism resulting in the Pentecostal outpouring (Acts 2:1-4).
3. ENEMIES OF REVIVAL THAT BLOCK THE WELLS
Just as the Philistines stopped Isaac’s wells, certain forces hinder revival in our time.
a) The Spirit of Worldliness (1 John 2:15-17)
The love of the world drains our spiritual passion and dulls our hunger for God.
b) The Spirit of Pride and Self-Sufficiency (James 4:6)
Revival cannot thrive where man takes the glory. Humility invites the presence of God.
c) The Spirit of Division and Offence (1 Corinthians 3:3)
Disunity quenches the Spirit’s fire and prevents the flow of living water.
d) The Spirit of Lukewarmness and Complacency (Revelation 3:15-16)
When believers become content with mediocrity, revival fire goes out.
Biblical Example: Samson’s fall into sin and compromise led to the loss of God’s power, his well was blocked until repentance restored his strength (Judges 16:20-30).
4. HOW TO RE-DIG THE WELLS OF REVIVAL
Re-digging requires intentional spiritual actions that restore our connection with God and His power.
a) Return to God in Genuine Repentance (2 Chronicles 7:14)
Revival begins when God’s people humble themselves, repent, and seek His face.
b) Renew Your Commitment to Prayer and Fasting (Joel 2:12-13)
Fervent prayer and fasting open the heavens and restore spiritual hunger.
c) Rekindle the Fire of the Word (Jeremiah 23:29)
God’s Word ignites faith and passion; studying it restores spiritual vitality.
d) Restore the Spirit of Unity and Love (John 17:21)
Revival thrives in an atmosphere of unity, love, and corporate obedience.
Biblical Example: King Josiah re-dug the wells of revival by rediscovering the Book of the Law, leading the nation back to covenant faithfulness (2 Kings 22-23).
5. THE BLESSINGS THAT FOLLOW RE-DIGGING THE WELLS
When revival wells are re-dug, God releases divine blessings upon His people and nations.
a) Outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:17)
A revived church experiences a fresh flow of the Spirit.
b) Restoration of Joy and Strength (Nehemiah 8:10)
Revival renews the believer’s strength and brings joy back to worship.
c) Salvation of Souls and Church Growth (Acts 2:41)
Souls are saved and multitudes turn to God when revival flows.
d) Manifestation of God’s Glory (Haggai 2:9)
The glory of the latter house shall be greater than the former when the wells flow again.
Biblical Example: During the revival under Nehemiah, the people experienced great joy, unity, and restoration as they returned to God (Nehemiah 8:1-12).
CONCLUSION:
The wells of revival are waiting to be re-dug. Our generation must not allow the fires of past revivals to die. God is looking for men and women who will dig deep again through prayer, repentance, and holiness until the living waters flow once more.
The revival we seek is not in a programme but in a people — people who are hungry for God. Let us rise, like Isaac, and re-dig the wells our fathers once opened so that generations after us will drink again from the living water of the Spirit.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, thank You for the promise of revival in our generation.
2. Father, forgive us for every sin that has blocked the wells of revival.
3. Lord, restore my spiritual hunger and passion for Your presence.
4. Father, re-dig in me the wells of prayer and holiness.
5. Lord, let Your Word come alive again in the hearts of believers.
6. Every Philistine power blocking revival in the Church, be uprooted in Jesus’ name.
7. Lord, release a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our land.
8. Father, raise intercessors who will stand in the gap for revival.
9. Lord, let the rivers of living water flow again in our churches.
10. Father, make me an instrument of revival in my generation.
