Living Water

Living Water

Read: John 7:37-39

“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.”

John 7:37

“The Holy Spirit may be had for the asking.”

—R. B. Kuiper

IN WORD “I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.” So said the Lord through the prophet Isaiah (44:3). The fulfillment of God’s promise came seven hundred years later. At a ceremonial outpouring of water, Jesus proclaimed Himself to be the source of the living water foretold by the prophets.

People thirst in our day, too. Many are unbelievers searching for the truth. Many, however, are within the Christian family. Heaven’s resources are available to us in abundance, and we still may not experience them. The presence of God’s Spirit is assured, but we may wonder if He is with us. We read of God’s miraculous, exciting dealings with His people, and we often struggle with our mundane lives. Like the woman at the well, we ask where we can get this living water (John 4:11). We really want to know. To whom is it given?

Jesus’ conditions for this gift are few and basic. We must thirst, we must come, and we must drink. That’s it. All that is required of us is to need it badly and come to the source. It’s that simple.

IN DEED Many approach the subject of living water with a mild interest. But if we really want it, we must be truly thirsty. We must search the Scriptures and apply them to our hearts, asking God to give us this water. And we must truly come to Jesus, not casually and with reservation, but with enthusiasm, openness, and trust. We must prepare our hearts for the overflowing tide, always looking to Him in faith. We must excitedly expect Him to fulfill His promise.

For those who really thirst, who really come, and who really drink, the water gushes. The Spirit is poured out. And dry ground becomes a well-watered garden.