Living Water “If anyone thirsts let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” John 7:37, 38 To ancient Israel God provided water in the wilderness. He gave Moses instruction, “Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it that the people may drink.” Exodus 17:5 “He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink in abundance like the depths. He also brought streams out of the rock and caused waters to run down like rivers.” Psalm 78:15, 16 Speaking of Israel, “And they all drank the same spiritual drink, for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” 1 Corinthians 10:4 We have a need for spiritual water which God will supply in the barren places of our lives. “I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert to give drink to My people, My chosen.” Isaiah 43:20 “For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. The parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water.” Isaiah 35:6, 7 Jesus personally invites you, “Whoever is thirsty let him come. Whoever desires let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17 “The water that I shall give you will become a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life,” Jesus promised a woman of Samaria. His promise is for you too. John 4:14 “The poor and needy seek water but there is none, their tongues fail for thirst. I the LORD, will hear them; I, the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers in desolate heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.” Isaiah 41:17, 18 When you drink the living water it becomes a personal experience with Jesus. Because the LORD is our strength, song, and salvation we will trust and not be afraid. “Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” Isaiah 12:2, 3

Jesus is the spiritual living water, but there is also a physical river which originates at God’s throne. In vision the prophets Ezekiel and John saw the River of Life. “And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.” Revelation 22:1 “Then he brought me back to the door of the temple and there was water flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east. He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water running out on the right side.” Ezekiel goes on to describe how the river deepens as it goes from ankle deep to waist high and finally one needs to swim to cross. Ezekiel 47:1-6 The redeemed will one day walk along the River of Life and drink from its flow. Along the banks of this river there are various fruit trees growing of which we may eat. Spiritually speaking, God calls His children trees He has planted and nourished. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD and whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will crease from yielding fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7, 8 Blessed is the man who delights in the law of the LORD and makes it his meditation day and night. “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither.” Psalm 1:2, 3

Water is a symbol of the work of the Holy Spirit to give life. Just as water cleanses the body both inside and out, so does God work in the lives of those who are thirsty and filthy. “I will pour water on him who is thirsty and floods on the dry land. I will pour My Spirit on your children.” Isaiah 44:3 “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 “According to God’s mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, which He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.” Titus 3:5, 6 Sanctifying and cleansing us on the inside is through a washing of water by the word of God. This is Jesus’ work for His church.    (Ephesians 5:26) “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you.” Ezekiel 36:26, 27 “Therefore brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:19, 23 “I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.” Revelation 21:6