Water
One of the most profitable products in convenience stores and
supermarkets is water. Have you noticed how many people carry a bottle of water
or have one on their desk. Some of this is due to marketing and culture. But
perhaps also we are learning, one of the easiest things we can do for good
health is to drink water. Have you ever suffered from dehydration? Or have you
witnessed someone in a state of dehydration? In many cases - they were drinking
coffee, coke or alcohol. But the body needs water. Many common ailments and many
serious diseases could be prevented or slowed - simply by drinking more water.
During the recent hurricanes, we watched those who fled from the storm ask for
water. The body needs water to survive; it is essential to proper nourishment.
But while we drink plenty of water, we may suffer with parched souls. The
thirsty soul, wandering with weakness in the desert of sin - this is how many
live who enjoy daily access to abundant water for the body.
Some people eventually figure that out. They wake up one day with all the toys
they could ever want, but have no real satisfaction - - because they are
spiritually dehydrated and dieing in sin. At that low point, there is that
condition the Lord described, "hungering and thirsting for righteousness,"
(Matt. 5:6).
In John chapter four Jesus stopped his travels for a brief time of refreshment
at Jacob's well. A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her:
"Give me a drink." She hesitated and questioned Him about Samaritans having
fellowship with Jews; she said, "for Jews have no dealings with Samaritans."
Jesus spoke to her about living water and He made the vital distinction between
physical thirst and spiritual thirst; physical water and spiritual. He said,
regarding the well water - "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."
David wrote this, when he was living in the wilderness of Judah:
"O 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," (Psa. 63:1,2).
Or, in another place he wrote:
"As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
My tears have been my food day and night,
While they continually say to me,
'Where is your God'?" (Psa. 42:1-3).
Jesus said in Jno. 6:35 - "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall
never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst."
By Warren E. Berkley
Topic Page
From Expository Files 12.11; November 2005
