John 7:38,39 Water That Refreshes
“Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory) (NLT).
I remember my father stopping with me at this spring along the New Baltimore Road in Bedford County, PA, when we went fishing. I have stopped there for a refreshing drink many times since those early visits, and as far as I know, the spring is still flowing. There is one change; the pvc pipe was not there when I was young. I’m blessed to know that refreshing water still flows from that pipe, giving a pick-me-up to anyone who stops.
The ”living water” that Jesus spoke of is the Holy Spirit that he sent to refresh us, guide us, comfort us, teach us, and remind us of Jesus’ words. The Holy Spirit is always available because He lives in us. He was put in us at our moment of salvation. The Holy Spirit can be described as a gentleman, not one to act without our permission. He will tell us what we should be doing, but if we say “no,” He will not demand it. But we miss a blessing every time we say “no” to Him. I always stop when I go by the spring where I first went with my father, and I am always refreshed. It’s always there, so if I don’t stop for refreshment, I miss it. The same is true of the Holy Spirit. He is always there, inside me, ready to bless me, to lead me on to bless others and to help me grow closer to my Lord. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for nudging me on to acts of kindness, and I pray that I will be willing the next time you nudge me to speak to someone about the great joy of salvation. Open my mouth so that the “living water” of the joy of the Lord flows out of me often..