Scripture:
“Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who desires take the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17)
Reading:
In the 100 degree heat, my daughter was headed to soccer practice with what felt like a miniature bottle of water. Worried about her, I did what every good mother does. I fussed.
“Don’t worry, Mom. There’s a refill station.”
Assured that she would not faint from thirst, I sent her off with that little bottle. How simple it was for her to believe that if she came to the provided source, she would have an unending supply. This is also true for those who believe and come to Christ for His Living Water, His Spirit.
Thirsting throughout the Bible is a picture of our need to be in relationship with God. He placed eternity - a spiritual craving - in every person’s heart so that we would seek to know Him (Ecclesiastes 3:11). God has also promised to quench this thirst if we come to Him (Isaiah 12:2-3; 44:3).
In John 7:37-39 we find Jesus at the Temple on the greatest day of the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles. On this day the priest would pour water on the altar calling to mind when God provided water in the desert (Exodus 17). This tradition represented the spiritual thirst for the fulfillment of God’s promise to pour out His Holy Spirit (Isaiah 12:1-3).
“On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and cried out, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. The one who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him.’” (John 7:37-38)
Jesus told the crowds early in his ministry those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled (Matthew 5:6). He told the woman at the well that the spiritual water He has for those who come to Him and believe “…will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:14) Jesus guides all who come to Him and believe in Him to the waters of life (Revelation 7:17).
Do you hunger and thirst? Jesus continues to speak ‘come to me,’ not just ‘believe in me.’ In your mind and with your heart, come to Jesus again. Welcome His Presence. Christ promises to satisfy your thirst with His Living Water through the power of His Holy Spirit.
Your Turn:
In what ways do you thirst? How do you seek satisfaction? Ask Jesus for His Living Water.
How might the Lord be trying to overflow to others through you?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for drawing me to Christ. I come freely and ask for Your Water of Life. Holy Spirit, flow through me to others for Your glory and our blessing. Amen.