John 7:37-38
“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘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.”
Two great truths emerge from this announcement by Jesus. First, He is the fountainhead of spiritual waters. And second, He is never stingy in His giving. Thirst has a way of grabbing our attention, so it’s significant that Jesus offers unlimited rivers of refreshing, living water rather than a countryside brook. Notice to whom this life-giving is promised; it’s to the parched and spiritually dry individual who drinks. Today, a lot of people are blaming all manner of things for the arid conditions in the local church and Christianity in general. Well-meaning Christians desire great outpourings of revival within their churches, but I would advise them to look closer to home. Jesus is calling for a personal response to a very real need for personal revival via the Holy Spirit.
A dehydrated church cannot be revived without those attending being revived first. When we read about great spiritual awakenings, they seem to begin with one or two believers persistently and consistently praying, “God I have strayed… show me where I have erred… may I think, speak, and live Bible… help me to walk in a continuance of Your presence… .” We’ve often misunderstood revival to be something that happens by simply attending a special service or conference; something we can advertise or manufacture – revival is to be an everyday reality for the Christian. When you drink steadily of all Jesus offers through His Word, life will still be messy, but you can count on your daily re-hydration to splash out with such abundance that the world will take notice.
Believer, are you thirsty for more of Him? If you’ve been complacent in your relationship with your Savior, you have this assurance, “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). Respond to His call and allow the living water of the Spirit to flow from your heart into the lives of others. This is what changes a church, a community, and even a nation.
– Pastor Jack
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