Just as our bodies thirst for water, so do our spirits. Our bodies thirst for physical water. Our spirits thirst for the living waters of the Holy Spirit.
A glass of cold water on a sweaty summer day refreshes us in a way that speaks to us of eternal realities. How so? Well, think about this. Very soon, we will be needing another glass of water to quench our bodily need for hydration. If we don’t get that next glass of water, what happens? Dehydration begins to set in, with all of its uncomfortable symptoms. We get dizzy, lightheaded, irritable. Our head begins to ache. If it gets too bad, we feel like our physical weakness could soon cause us to collapse.
Severe dehydration is a picture of what it’s like to exist without God. We see the ultimate picture of this in Jesus’ story about the egotistical rich man (also referenced yesterday here on the blog): “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame’” (Luke 16:24, NKJV).
This man had lived his earthly life entirely for his own selfish pursuits. He had never satiated his spirit’s thirst with the living waters that Jesus provides. He had instead bought the lie that physical comforts, pleasures, and luxuries could bring the satisfaction his soul craved. Tragically, he found, at the end of his life, that his spiritual dehydration had shriveled him away into torment. He had died, and it was too late. How he longed for even just one drop of cool water to assuage his terrible thirst!
What a relief that we don’t have to ever go there! Jesus said something of profound significance about this in His words to the Samaritan woman. “Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst.” What did He mean? He was telling us that the very core of us has a God-given craving that only the presence of Holy Spirit within us will fill. When we drink of Him, we finally find what our spirits long for. This satisfaction of our deepest heart cry is enduring, springing up to everlasting life!
Can you think of time in your life when you experienced severe thirst? Maybe when you came indoors panting and sweating after exercise under a blistering sun? You know, a cup of hot chocolate would simply not have done it for you then. Only a big glass of crystal clear water gulped down your eager, thirsty throat could bring the relief needed.
Just like that, nothing but the presence of the Spirit will slake the deepest needs of your spirit. But when you find Him…! When you find Him, you discover that you really have found everything you were created for. Let us respond to His invitation today!
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Why do we humans so easily fall into the trap of trying to quench our spiritual thirst with what cannot satisfy?
Feeding On Jesus 
“This satisfaction of our deepest heart cry is enduring, springing up to everlasting life!” Jesus in us. Glorious Jesus. Oh may He lead our feet and hands to give the thirsty a drink of His living water, as we speak life – Jesus – over them, in our own drinking deeply of our precious living water.
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Amen and amen and AMEN! Yes Lord Jesus!
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The timing of this for me in my life … On my Lord Jesus. Living in Christ. May His Holy Spirit guide me. Living Water to quench my everlasting soul. Ty Jennifer ❤️🙏
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You are so very welcome! Yes and amen, Lord Jesus!
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I have been there- physically and spiritually. And getting that good long drink is everything! It changes everything and it renews everything. Thank you for putting this at the forefront today, Jennifer.
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Yes! It really does change absolutely everything in the most wonderful way! You are welcome, Mama Lava 🙂
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“Why do we humans so easily fall into the trap of trying to quench our spiritual thirst with what cannot satisfy?” Well, I blame it on my parents. No, not the Posts of K.C, but Adam and Eve. 😊
But I wonder if they had not eaten from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, would any of us? If we were still in Eden, would not each one of us have to still decide Who or who we would trust to quench our thirst? Just wondering.
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I have definitely wondered the same thing. And, I think that’s a pretty spot on answer!
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When I was in the hospital a couple of years ago, I wasn’t allowed to drink anything for a couple of days and the thirst was overwhelming. I can still remember them bringing me my first “meal” – a liquid diet of broth and tea and jello, all of which had never tasted so amazing!
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Wow! What a powerful illustration of this principle! Thank you for sharing that, Debi Sue 💕😊
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Jennifer, to answer your question: I think it’s because there are so many enticing things in this world. But yes, only the Lord can satisfy us.
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That is so true, Keith. The world certainly has a thousand ways to attempt to distract us from what we really need, with its “vainglory.” Thanks so much for sharing your thought!
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A very apt question. I know I have tried in the past to find something to fill what had been described to me as a “God shaped hole” in my heart.
At the time I thought I could find someone to spend life with that would help me to feel whole. And as I searched I tried to satisfy myself with other things that left me feeling emptier. Jesus is the only one who can satisfy our spiritual thirst.
Thank you for sharing this. 🙏
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Yes and amen. Only He can truly fill and satisfy us!
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