“DIG YOUR WELL BEFORE YOU’RE THIRSTY”

Introduction

Our title comes from a book with the same title…
- Extolling the value of networking for success in life and business.
- Illustrating the importance of preparation to succeed and survive.
The title illustrates a simple yet important fact of life…
- You cannot wait until you are thirsty to begin digging a well.
- If you do, you will likely die of thirst before you get the water you need.
- You must prepare ahead of time, before the need arises.
The book parallels the Christian life in ways that are clearly evident…
- There are times of spiritual “thirst.”
- If we wait until such times to “dig our wells,” we may be too late.
- We need to be “digging our wells” now!

Ask yourself this question: Are you digging your well before you’re thirsty? Maybe it would help to be reminded of…

I. The Need for Wells

A. At the Day of Judgment

There is a day of judgment coming…
- In which the world will be judged.
Acts 17:30-31 — Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.
- In which we will all stand before Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:10 — For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
A day of salvation for some, condemnation for others…

Matthew 25:34, 41 — Then the King will say to those on His right hand, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” … Then He will also say to those on the left hand, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”
- Some will hear good news.
- Others will hear terrible words.

It will be too late to begin “digging wells” if we are spiritually “thirsty” on that day!

B. During Times of Temptation

The Christian life is fraught with temptation…
- Because of our adversary, the devil.
1 Peter 5:8 — Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
- Because of our own fleshly desires.
James 1:14 — But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

Mark 7:21-23 — For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.
Temptations should not be taken lightly…
- We can “become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:12-13).
- We might fall away during the time of temptation.
Luke 8:13 — But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.

Do we have “wells” to quench our spiritual thirst when we are tempted?

C. During Periods of Tribulation

The Christian life is not always easy…
- As Jesus warned the apostles.
John 16:33 — These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
- And Paul also warned disciples.
Acts 14:21-22 — And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
The trials or tribulations we may face can be quite diverse…
- Some because we are Christians.
2 Timothy 3:12 — Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
- Others come because we share in the frailties of life: sickness, pain, death; economic recession, loss of jobs; terrorism, war, natural calamities…

We better have our “wells” dug in advance if we are to survive such “droughts”! But how do we “dig” our “wells”?

II. We Dig Our Wells

A. By Preparing for Judgment

God has provided “tools” and “location” for us to “dig” by giving:
- His Son as an atonement for sin.
1 John 4:9-10 — In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
- And by providing the good news of salvation to the whole world.
Colossians 1:23 — If indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Mark 16:15 — And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
But we must realize what we ourselves must do…
- Respond to the gospel of His grace.
Acts 2:36-38 — Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
- Remain faithful in our devotion and service.
Revelation 2:10 — Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

But responding to, and continuing faithful in the gospel involves…

B. Being Prepared for Temptation

1. Remember What God Has Provided

His Providence in time of temptation:

He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able.

1 Corinthians 10:13 — No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

He is able to work all things for our good.

He has provided His Spirit to help us overcome:

To strengthen the inner man.

Ephesians 3:16 — That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man.

To develop the character necessary.

Galatians 5:22-23 — But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

He has given us His family to support us in our efforts:

Himself as our Father.

1 John 3:1 — Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

His children as our brothers and sisters.

1 Timothy 5:1-2 — Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger as sisters, with all purity.

He has given us His Son as our Advocate and propitiation:

Who stands ready to assist us when we have sinned.

1 John 2:1-2 — My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

Whose blood will cleanse from all sin as we confess.

1 John 1:7-9 — But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2. Realize What We Ourselves Must Do

Pray that you enter not into temptation, as Jesus taught in the “Lord’s Prayer” (Matthew 6:13), and as He told His disciples in Gethsemane:

Matthew 26:41 — Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Be filled with His Spirit by drinking in the Word:

Singing praises and making melody in our hearts to the Lord.

Ephesians 5:18-19 — And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.

Teaching one another in song, letting the Word dwell in us richly.

Colossians 3:16 — Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Strengthen our relationships with the members of our Family:

Communing with God in prayer.

Hebrews 4:16 — Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Exhorting one another.

Hebrews 3:12-13 — Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Repent and confess when we sin:

To God.

1 John 1:9 — If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

To one another.

James 5:16 — Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Are you digging your wells by continuing steadfastly in prayer, in the Word and in fellowship with the family of God?

C. Preparing for Tribulation

1. Remember What God Has Provided

Hope to help us endure:

A joyful hope that we might be patient in tribulations.

Romans 12:10-12 — Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.

An abounding hope empowered by the Spirit of God.

Romans 15:13 — Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Peace that only Christ can offer:

A peace the world cannot provide.

John 14:27 — Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

One that can guard our hearts and minds.

Philippians 4:6-7 — Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Strength found only in Christ:

That provides us with patience, longsuffering, joy.

Colossians 1:11 — Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy.

By which we can do all things in a spirit of contentment.

Philippians 4:10-11 — But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.

Brethren to comfort us in our trials:

Who comfort us with the comfort they receive from God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 — Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

Who comfort us with words of hope and encouragement.

1 Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11, 14 — Therefore comfort one another with these words. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.

2. Realize What We Must Do With What God Has Provided

We must focus our hope:

Setting our minds on the grace to be revealed.

1 Peter 1:13 — Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Thus benefiting from the patience and comfort of the Scriptures.

Romans 15:4 — For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

Our peace must be nurtured:

Through fervent prayer.

Philippians 4:6-7 — Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

And in following Paul’s admonition and example.

2 Corinthians 13:11 — Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

And we must develop our spiritual strength:

Through asking for it, as Paul did for the Ephesians.

Ephesians 3:16 — That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man.

And by putting on the armor of God.

Ephesians 6:13 — Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Finally, we must build up those who are our brethren:

Ministering to one another.

Hebrews 6:10 — For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Assembling together, exhorting one another, loving one another.

Hebrews 13:1; 10:24-25 — Let brotherly love continue. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

In what condition are your wells pertaining to your hope, your peace, your strength, and your brethren?

Conclusion

If you paid close attention, you will have noticed the wells have already been dug.
They are the wells of salvation provided by God.

Isaiah 12:1-3 — And in that day thou shalt say, I will give thanks unto thee, O Jehovah; for though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away and thou comfortest me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for Jehovah, even Jehovah, is my strength and song; and he is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. (ASV)
Offering the water of life.

John 4:13-14 — Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

John 7:37-39 — On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Have we let the “wells of salvation” God graciously provides become stopped up through our own spiritual neglect? If so, then be sure to “Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty”!

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