Sunday, July 1, 2012

Wellspring

"O God, You are my God,
 earnestly I seek You;
 my soul thirsts for You,
 my body longs for You,
 in a dry and weary land 
 where there is no water."
                         Psalm 63:1


In these blazing hot days with temperatures hovering around 100 degrees, we become more aware of the preciousness of water.  Sprinkling our parched lawns and weary gardens, splashing in the neighborhood swimming pool, guzzling a bottled water after a short walk or workout--we are grateful for water that offers cooling refreshment to the earth, the flowers, and our bodies.  Where do we go when we want to get away and be refreshed?  Most often we seek the water--lakes, oceans, rivers, or maybe just a pond for fishing. Water invites us to relax, enjoy, and rest. Is it any wonder?  Genesis 1:2 says, "Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." Alas!  This enchantment with water is perhaps our inherent desire to be near Him!  Surely we are awed by His creation as we watch the timeless waves gently lap against the shore or as we see mirror images of surrounding giant oaks and pines in the glass surface of the lake.  Yes, He is still hovering there, and in Him there is enjoyment and rest and peace.  


But we can't always get to the beach or the lake or the river. Recently I saw a t-shirt featuring beach chairs and the phrase, "Gotta be near the water."  What truth!  Indeed God designed us to be "near the water," but not necessarily the Gulf of Mexico or Smith Lake.  The water He had in mind is the Living Water--Himself--and that's available any time anywhere.  I love the description in Jeremiah as God calls Himself "the fountain of living water."  Fountains just keep flowing, the source for the stream of water. He is our source for life abundant as He wants us to have. Wasn't that one of our favorite songs as children? "Deep and wide, deep and wide--there's a fountain flowing deep and wide..."  Jesus shares with the woman at the well: "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.  Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."  (John 4:13)  Isn't that comforting in this dry and weary land?  There is water that will forever quench this longing. Only Jesus Himself, the Living Water, will satisfy. 

The U.S. Forestry Service survival training guide suggests that three days without water is a "serious threat to survival."  I think they're on to something.  If we go three days without at least sipping the Living Water, we could be in deep trouble. If we choose to soak in it, devouring it, we will find peace--a gracious gift.  "Taste and see that the Lord is good." (Psalm 34:8)  That begins with "being still" time in His Word. Oh, the sweltering heat may persist, and we Southern ladies may be glistening on the outside, but that won't affect us on the inside, for that Fountain flows deep and wide.  These lyrics from one of my favorite songs, "There is a Fountain," capture it all:


   "Who on earth can satisfy my soul
    Who on earth can comfort me and love me like You do,
    Who on earth can be more faithful and true
    I will trust in You; I will trust in You, my God.


    There is a fountain
    Who is a King
    Victorious Warrior and Lord of everything
    My Rock, My Shelter
    My very own
    Precious Redeemer who reigns upon the throne.


    Who could ever be more faithful and true
    Lord Jesus, Lord Jesus,
    Lord Jesus; there's none like You."


Yes, we do still seek a Dasani or a water fountain on a hot day, and we're thankful for that refreshment.  But one day we know that won't be necessary as we stand in the very presence of the Fountain who is King.  Amen and amen!
    


              "Never again will they hunger;
                never again will they thirst.
               The sun will not beat upon them,
                nor any scorching heat.
               For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their Shepherd;
                 He will lead them to springs of living water.
               And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."         
                                                                 Revelation 7:16-17











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