Day Seventy-Four
Why You Thirst…
“… if any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink!” Amp Jn 7:37
With roughly ¾’s of the earth’s surface being covered with water, and the fact that every life form is dependent on water – water takes on a vital priority for life to continue. It is unique as well among physical elements, because only water exists in all three states: solid, liquid, and vapor. Incredibly – water actually increases in its volume as it freezes – thus allowing it to rise to the surface as it freezes. It therefore insulates the water below it, which allows life to continue within that body of water. How unique is our water … and the God Who formed it?
As humans, we are comprised of nearly 65% water. It is thus vital to our proper functioning as well. We each require roughly 8-10 glasses of water a day to support healthy processes – yet how often do we fill that need with other things: coffee, soda, sports drinks, even alcohol?
I have found many times I have actually misinterpreted my thirst as hunger – and have eaten something when I was really just thirsty. But we have been hardwired to need water – physically it is an imperative to health and life. Like our need for air – water is necessary for our life to continue. Thus, this is the reason for our thirst, our registered craving for this liquid libation.
But our need for water is not only physical. I believe we have an equally great spiritual need for water as well. However, this need is perhaps the least understood – or appropriately fulfilled. Like our physical need, this spiritual need can be misinterpreted, and attempted to be met with other things. But just like there is no substitute for water, there is no substitute for the living water that we require spiritually. We have, I believe, a God-given God- fulfilling thirst.
Many times in Scripture, this thirst is addressed. I would like to point out three of my favorites. First: Isaiah 55:1. (These are all from the Amplified Bible.)
“Wait and listen, everyone who is thirsty! Come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Yes, come, buy [priceless, spiritual] wine and milk without money and without price [simply for the self-surrender that accepts the blessing].”
There is a reason for your thirst and a satisfier for your thirst – but you must come to the Source – the Waters to drink!
Next is: Jn 7:37-38.
“Now on the final and most important day of the Feast, Jesus stood, and He cried out in a loud voice, If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink! He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water.”
Here Jesus is showing us He is the Waters – He is the Source Who will quench our thirst! All we have to do is come to Him – then you yourself will flow in this water!
Lastly, is Isaiah 58:11, which is referenced in Jn 7:38 (as the Scripture has said).
“And the Lord shall guide you continually and satisfy you in drought and dry places and make strong your bones. And you shall be like a watered garden and like a spring of water whose waters fail not.”
Our thirst (our true need and perception of that need) both physically and spiritually is a grace from the Lord. It is there to keep us drinking, to keep us hydrated and healthy, both physically and spiritually, of Him. Thirst keeps us connected vitally to our Source. And if we will allow Him – He will satisfy us and sustain us in every situation we encounter. Yet, His grace is such that He will not force us to drink. He allows us to choose, both physically and spiritually, the thing we will rely on. He never will take that choice away. Unfortunately – physically and spiritually, there is a consequence to choosing poorly and making something else other than water and living water primary in our diet. That consequence is death.
This year, may your thirst increase and be recognized and fully satiated in Jesus Christ – the Author and Perfector – of us all.
Merry Christmas and a wet and watered New Year!
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