The Living Water and the Light (Dec 3)

Verses for the day

• John 7:37-38, “Anyone who is thirsty, let him come and drink of me.” 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.)
• John 8:12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

Thoughts

These past few weeks have been pretty challenging. Early in November I started a list of “stressors.” This is a list of the things that have come up that continue to throw me on the Lord. Let me just give a quick example. Here’s the things I wrote down yesterday.

• 1:00 AM got a call on the radio from my security guard, a pipe broke and water is pouring out of one of the houses. (got the water shut off, and fixed the pipe… went back to bed)
• 8:00 Had a meeting with the Member Care Team.. this was actually a positive stressor, giving us some direction for the months ahead.
• 9:30 Bill helped me replace the pressure tanks on the water system in order to avoid bursting another pipe. We knew this needed to be done, I just wasn’t sure I would know how to do it. Thankful for the team around me.
• 4:30 PM met with RVA students who did a survey with our employees about their expectations and concerns regarding our Employee Christmas party. The survey brought up several things that we need to change… and we only have a week to prepare and implement them.
• 6:00 PM talked with Bill and Kelley about having some of the RVA boys help on security since I am going to have to fire one of my guards for tardiness, absence, and too many warnings.

In Psalm 63:1 David said, “O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.“ I wrote the following in my journal the next morning: O Father, I am seeking you. This morning I am discouraged. I am dry and weary today. I could use a drink from you. I could really use a cold refreshing drink from the well of living water.”

Now granted, not every day is like that, thank goodness. But, I think it’s safe to say life has been a bit stressful.

Jesus said in John 7:37, “Anyone who is thirsty, let him come and drink of me.” Jesus said, for those who are thirsty, let them come and drink.

David asked the question twice in Psalm 42:5, 11, “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart sad?” Then he answers his own question, “I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again.” When we are dry and weary from the journey, we need to go to Him, put our hope in Him, and remember what He has done! Put your hope in Him! Choose to praise Him… and you will find comfort for your weary soul.

In Psalm 63:3-4 David continues, “Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer.”

How did David refresh himself? He went to the well! He found the deep deep love of God there! This is what the living water is. David found refreshment in meditating on the Father’s unfailing love.

Psalm 63:7-8 Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely.

David found refreshment in God’s love. He was able to rest, with joy, under the shadow of God’s wings. He found God’s help and felt secure as he pictured God’s strong hands holding on to him.

God doesn’t promise us to be able to see the whole picture of what He is doing. What did Jesus mean when He said, (John 8:12) “You will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life?” Certainly He is talking about salvation, and Jesus being the light of the world in that regard. But what about our daily life? What does it mean for us to not walk in darkness in our daily life?

The picture I have is walking down a jungle trail at night with a flashlight. I have the light, I am not walking in darkness, but I can still only see a few steps ahead. But I can still be at peace, knowing I am secure in Christ. Knowing that we are under the shadow of God’s wings. His strong hand is holding us… and He knows where we are going. His love for us is never ending. He knows what is best. He has the power to carry it out. And His love compels Him to give us the very best for us! He simply asks us to trust Him.

Prayer

Father, I pray for those who read this today, that they will go to the well of living water and find there cold refreshing water that never runs dry. I pray today that You will remind them that their are held by your arms. That they are secure in You, and that you want to wrap your loving arms around them today.

I know they feels they can’t see very far ahead. But, may you help them to rest in you as the light. May they remember your promise that you won’t let them walk in darkness, but that you have given them the light of life. You also said in John 7:39 that the living water is the Holy Spirit living in us! May they feel your presence, through the Holy Spirit, and find your peace in the midst whatever they are facing today.

And Father, thank you that we can stand confidently in the truth that, you know what is best. You have the power to carry it out. And your love compels you to give us the very best for us! May you help us to trust You with all of this.