Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Spiritual Thirst

Would that I were a dry well, and that the people tossed stones into me, for that would be easier than to be a spring of flowing water that the thirsty pass by, and from which they avoid drinking. Kahlil Gibran

The Samaritan woman did not walk away from the Living Water Jesus was offering her at the well that day. There were multitudes that had walked away from Him, and very sadly still do, never quenching their soul's spiritual thirst. Without Him, their soul will eventually die.
Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." John 4:13-14

How amazing to see her showered with His Grace and be given this Living Water, spilling out on those that she knew. They did not just go their merry way after believing on Jesus. They wanted to find Him, and learn more. They asked Him to stay with them, continuing to drink in His water of life.

v. 39-42 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on Him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. So when the Samaritans
were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them, and he abode there two days. And many more believed because of his own word, and said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying, for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

The villagers actions show us ...
"Man needs not sneak to the world for comfort; the work and the witness of the Spirit in the heart furnishes him with a firm foundation of hope and an overflowing fountain of joy." Matthew Henry
"Amid all changes of external circumstances - in heat and cold, hunger and thirst, prosperity and adversity, life, persecution, contempt, or death - it (Living Water) still lives on, and refreshes and cheers the soul." Barnes

The unstoppable, life-giving water that is Jesus, the only way to find eternal life, continues to disperse throughout the world, in all circumstances of life.
Zec 14:8 And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.

Anything or anyone else is imperfect and will leave us thirsty again.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Whenever I find myself indulging in worry, depression, desiring more "stuff", it may take some time to sink in, but I eventually realize it's usually because I haven't been seeking out the Lord's supply to keep me strong and satisfied. I'm afraid it happens all too often. Self discipline is a difficult work in progress.

2 comments:

Cherdecor said...

I have been catching up on all your posts lately. I always enjoy reading your thoughts on scripture. Thank you so much!

Mimi's Toes said...

Happy Belated Mother's Day! I had noticed that you had taken a break from blogging...glad you are back.