“Oh God, you are my God; early will I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh longs for you in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. So I have looked for you in the sanctuary, to see your power and your glory. Because your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you. Thus will I bless you while I live; I will lift up my hands in your name.” (Psalm 63:1-4, NKJV)
On the final day of celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, the Jews brought water in a golden pitcher from the fountain of Siloam. Then, with great rejoicing, they poured out the water mixed with wine on the sacrifice on the altar. During one of these festivals, Jesus invites anyone who thirsts to come to Him and drink. Rivers of living water will flow out of anyone’s heart who believes in Him. (John 7:37-38)
When a Samaritan woman came to the well of Jacob, she was broken. However, she left knowing she was beloved by her Savior. Realizing Jesus loved her personally, she couldn’t contain her joy. Ever flowing within her was the living water for which she asked. Created new in Christ Jesus, with her heart captured by the Father’s love, the Samaritan woman became an evangelist for the Samaritans.
“Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?" (John 4:29, ESV)
Created in God’s image, we love God because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19) We all have a spiritual longing that can only be met by God’s presence as we experience His love. He welcomes us just as we are and then transforms us by His power. Once we’ve tasted and seen how good and gracious the Lord is, we want to return to the river of God’s Spirit in worship and praise.
God has called each of us to a holy calling that He’s planned from before time began. (2 Timothy 1:9) We have been strategically placed to accomplish His good work among those whom our omniscient Lord knows need to hear the Good News. Hearts filled with God’s love by His Spirit, we’re able to love a thirsty and needy world.
Let’s pray boldly as we step out with lives radically changed by the gift of grace, so that others will come to the One who knows and loves us completely. As we daily come to Jesus with our praise and prayers, we’ll be energized by His presence to ignite a passion for Him in New England.
“Joyfully you’ll pull up buckets of water from the wells of salvation. And as you do it, you’ll say, ‘Give thanks to God. Call out His name and ask Him anything! Shout to the nations, tell them what He’s done, spread the news of His great reputation! Sing praise songs to GOD, He’s done it all! Let the whole world know what He’s done! Raise the roof! Sing your hearts out, O Zion! The Greatest lives among you: The Holy of Israel!’” (Isaiah 12:3-4, MSG)
—Barb Wibling