Living Water

 I’ve been thinking about water a lot, lately as I carry my bottled water with me everywhere I go, trying to drink eight glasses a day for optimum health. From the tips of my diet gurus, I’ve found that water even helps with my diet. When tempted to look for happiness in unhealthy things such as candy and junk food, I drink my spring water and, amazingly, I feel satisfied. It occurs to me that God has a reason for this.
 
Water, in the Bible, is often used to represent the Holy Spirit and spiritual refreshment.
In the Old Testament of the Bible, the Lord says that He will pour water on the one who is thirsty and streams of water on dry ground.  He will pour out His Spirit on Israel and His blessing on its descendants. (Isaiah 44:3)
 
In the New Testament , Jesus surprised a woman at a well in Samaria by telling her that, if she had known who He was, she would have asked Him for a drink and He would have given her Living Water. (John 4:10)
 
Jesus said that whoever takes a drink of the water He gives, will never be thirsty again. Indeed, the water will become  a spring of water bubbling up from within that person, continually for eternal life. (John 4:14)
 
This water flows from the throne of God. (Revelation 22:1)
He was talking about the Holy Spirit, who comes to live within us when we believe and trust in Him. We thirst for God just as our bodies thirst for water. Without Him we will endlessly search for  ‘junk food’ satisfaction in pleasures, pastimes and even work. We will never find it, for without Him we can’t be satisfied.  Only Jesus Christ can give us the ultimate satisfaction for every need and desire. He gives us Living Water.
 
It is told in John 7:37 & 38 that at the feast of Tabernacles, Jesus cried in a loud voice that if anyone was thirsty, he should come to Him and drink. Anyone who believed and trusted in Him would have rivers of Living Water flowing from his innermost being.
 
In Revelation 22:17, the Holy Spirit and the bride (that’s the church - the true believers) say "Come!" Whoever is thirsty and whoever is in need, let him take the free gift of the Water of Life.
 
So just as for my diet I reach for my spring water instead of junk food, may I remember that, when tempted to look for happiness in worldly things, the Living Water is always with me and brings the only real satisfaction.