Re-digging the Wells of Faith

“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 up after the death of Abraham. He called them by the names which his father had called them.” (Gen. 26:18).

Abraham is often referred to in many circles as, “The father of faith;” and he was indeed!

God told Abraham that in him shall all the nations of the earth be blessed (Gen.12:3c)- “So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.” (Gal. 3:9). Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, “that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus,” (Gal. 3:13-14a).

Also in verse 29: “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

So, as Abraham’s seed through faith in Christ; we must re-dig the wells of faith as often as necessary. You would recall that Isaac re-dug the wells, because the Philistines had stopped them. There are many things that could stop the wells today- criticisms or persecution for instance. Jesus, in the parable of the sower, said the seed that fell on stony places are those who receive the word with joy, but get offended when trials or persecution arises (Matt. 4:28). Jesus also said at the end of the age, among other signs, many will be offended (Matt.24:10).

Unfortunately, faith has been one of the most mis-communicated, misunderstood and abused subjects in the church; and because of this many believers have been so put off, that they don’t want to touch it at all. Faith is, however, so vital to the life of the believer; that it cannot discarded or even relegated to the background, for any reason- no matter how cogent or justifiable. We therefore need to re-dig the wells of faith; however, with a more balanced understanding of the purpose and application thereof this time around.

Here are some of the reasons why we must re-dig those wells:

1. The Bible says, “The just shall live by faith.” (Rom. 1:17c). Though this, primarily, refers to the righteousness which comes by faith in Christ Jesus, as contrary to that which comes by fulfilling the law of Moses; it also implies other things-

• That faith is the believer’s lifeline, i.e. their life depends on it! Apostle Paul puts it this way: “The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20c NIV). And faith comes by the hearing of God’s word (Rom. 10:17). The same way the physical body needs food for it’s sustenance; the human spirit is also sustained by the constant hearing of God’s word- “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” (Matt. 4:4c).
• We are in the last days and we’re warned that there will be times “of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear].” (2 Tim. 3:1c AMP). When Jesus spoke about the signs of the end of the age, He told His disciples to look up and lift up their heads (Luke 21:28), in spite of all those terrible things that would characterise the last days. Notice He didn’t tell them to look down or be downcast! In another place, He said to them, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33c). It, however, seems to me that it would require faith, for anyone to be able to look up or be of good cheer in times as these- “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Cor. 5:7).
• “Faith is the victory that has overcome the world.” (1 John 5:4); i.e. without faith the believer would live a defeated life in this world. We must always remember that we are in a warfare (2 Cor. 10:3-5; Eph. 6:11-13). Faith is part of the believer’s armour- “above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” (Eph. 6:16); we can only imagine how vulnerable we are, without the shield of faith!

So, faith is a must for anyone that would live a victorious life in this world. Satan is called the god or ruler of this world (John 14:30; 2 Cor. 4:4), and the whole world lies under the power or control of the evil one (1 Jn 5:19); but good news- “whatever is born of God overcomes the world.” (1 John 5:4b). Therefore, every believer in Christ Jesus is a world-overcomer! God didn’t save us and then left us at the “mercy” of satan; Jesus prayed to the Father: “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” (John. 17:15).

• That faith should be the believer’s lifestyle. Faith isn’t something you “do” every now and then, rather it’s what you “do” regularly; the early church, “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42c).

Faith is not a panic button you press when you’re in trouble. This is one reason why many believers’ faith suffers a shipwreck or failure; they wait until they are faced with a desperate situation, and then try to apply their faith. They act like the Israelites, who quickly brought in the ark of the Lord to the battlefield, when they realised they were being whipped by the Philistines. They presumptuously thought that would suddenly turn the battle in their favour; but they were thoroughly beaten (1 Sam.4:1-11).

The Bible says, “let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.” (Heb. 4:14c NIV) or as the KJV puts it, “let us hold fast our profession.” That implies that faith should be your profession- your “full-time” job, if one could put it that way; and not what you do at weekends or occasionally as amateurs! Someone said, “Faith isn’t faith, until it affects your DAILY thinking, believing, speaking and actions.” I couldn’t agree more with that statement. Jesus said, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.” (Mark 11:23c); so it is what you continually say that moves your mountain! The woman with the issue of blood: “For she kept saying, If I only touch His garments, I shall be restored to health.” (Mark 5:28 AMP).

Faith must first be built in us- and like the proverbial Rome; it’s not built in a day! Faith comes by hearing (not having heard) the Word of God (Rom. 10:17); so, there must be a constant hearing, speaking and interacting with the Word of God, for faith to be built in our hearts.

2.  Every of God’s provisions is accessed and received by faith! Let’s start with the basics; i.e. salvation- “For by grace you have been saved through faith,” (Eph. 2:8a). We must remember that “salvation” is a generic word, which isn’t just limited to the new birth; but also includes: deliverance, healing, prosperity, safety, peace, etc. So, we can rightly say we are healed through faith! I remember sometime in the 90s, when I was believing God for my healing; the enemy told me I stood no chance, as there were people who were doing much more for God, and yet died sick. But thank God for the Holy Spirit, our Teacher, the Spirit of truth- who guides us into all truth; He quickened Ephesians 2:8-9 in my spirit: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” He then said to me, “You are healed by grace through faith- and not by your works!” The entrance of that word brought light to me; God lit my candle and enlightened my darkness, and I was able to take my healing by faith. No wonder the Bible says, “When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.” (Isa. 59:19c). How many believers have failed to receive their healing, because they are thinking it’s about how good or bad they are? The Bible says, “Therefore it [the promise] is of faith that it might be according to grace,“ (Rom. 4:16).

Everything God provided for us is on the platform of GRACE, and not works; and grace is accessed by FAITH! “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand,” (Rom. 5:1-2a). God’s throne is called the throne of grace; and we’re told to approach it boldly, i.e. confidently- in spite of our weaknesses and faults (Heb. 4:15-16)! The Amplified Bible calls it, “the throne of God’s unmerited favor;” so you didn’t work for it. For instance, the Bible says we were healed by the stripes of Jesus (2 Pet. 2:24); Jesus already got healing for us, we only need to take it by the hand of faith.

3. The Bible says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Heb. 11:6).

So you can’t please God without faith, no matter how hard you try or how well you mean.

But what does that mean or why is that?

How do you please someone you don’t see (the Bible says, no one, except the Son, has ever seen God- John 1:18)? So, anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists. It has to therefore be by faith; because faith is “the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1c). By faith Abel “offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain,” (Heb. 11:4a); i.e. he didn’t just bring a sacrifice to God, his faith was involved! Faith is of the heart; Jesus said, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24). Our faith is what makes our offerings and sacrifices acceptable to God- not just the activities. God isn’t pleased with offerings not made in faith- faith that He exists and that He will reward. God said, “I did not say to the seed of Jacob, ‘Seek Me in vain’” (Isa. 45:19b). God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, and those who come to Him must believe that (Heb. 11:6)! The Bible says, “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name,” (Heb. 6:10a). Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38). Also, “knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord,” (Eph. 6:8a). It is therefore not a mark of humility not to expect God to reward us!

Obedience pleases God; and it takes faith to obey God. In Hebrews 3, “unbelief” and “disobedience” were used interchangeably! The Israelites couldn’t enter into God’s rest because of disobedience (KJV- “unbelief”). They rebelled against God’s commandment to go take the promised land and were overthrown in the wilderness; so He wasn’t pleased with them (Heb. 3:16-19).

Noah was told to build an ark, to save his family; and he did it, even though it had never rained before then (Heb. 11:7; Gen. 6:13-22)! Abraham left his country and his family, “not knowing where he was going.” (Heb. 11:8c; Gen. 12:1-4). By faith, Joshua and the men of war encircled the walls of Jericho for seven days; after which it fell (Heb. 11:30; Josh. 6). We could go on and on. This is one major reason why people don’t obey God- like Thomas, they want to see it (or feel it) first, and then believe or obey! Someone said God told him; “If you knew what was at the back of your mountain, you would move it!” The Bible says, “He who observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not reap.” (Eccles. 11:4). You can’t just sit there waiting for a “favourable” or “convenient” time to do the right things- “In the morning sow your seed, And in the evening do not withhold your hand;” (Eccles. 11:6b).

4. It takes faith to persevere to the point of receiving God’s promises; we are told that Moses “persevered because he saw him who is invisible.” (Heb. 11:27c NIV). How could you see someone who is invisible? Simple- by faith! Faith kept Moses going on, in spite of all the challenges he faced- “esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.” (Heb. 11:26). God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him; but you must hang in there and not quit- “Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise” (Heb. 10:35-36). Actually, God says His soul is not pleased in anyone who draws back from living by faith (verse 38); so quitting is not an option!

Jesus told his disciples a parable about the persistent widow, “to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” (Luke 18:1c NIV). We must not become spiritually lazy or indifferent, “but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:12).

It’s time to re-dig the wells of faith that have been lying dormant and unused (or under-used) inside of you. The Bible says, “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith ….):” (Rom. 10:8c); so, go right ahead and start re-digging!

God bless you,

Rev. Funke Ewuosho