Are You Thirsty?
“Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst…” John 4:14
When Jesus spoke to the woman at the well in John 4:14 He promised she would receive two amazing blessings if she would drink of the water He would give.
“...whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
Paul tells us in Romans 8:16 that, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” Everlasting life is the life of God in us through the Holy Spirit. As a fountain He springs up in us and waters our hearts and minds with the assurance of eternal life assuring our spirit that we are children of God. What a blessing this is!
But notice that Jesus promised a second tremendous blessing. He says, “Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst.” This speaks of satisfaction. Some may say Jesus is referring to when we get to heaven but the verse clearly is speaking of a present tense, right now satisfaction in the same way it is speaking of a present tense, right now assurance of eternal life. So Jesus is promising us temporal satisfaction in this life.
Now wait a minute! Is this possible? I mean, can we who know and love Christ actually be satisfied in this life? We live in a sin cursed world. We have many things that are difficult and sorrowful that comes upon us. But we cannot deny what Jesus said. It’s interesting that we as believers have little problem believing that we can have the assurance of eternal life now but, satisfaction now? That seems too good to be true. Yet, it is true. Jesus said so.
There are conditions we must meet in order to have this satisfaction. Jesus clearly gives them in John 7:37-38.
“If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive.
The three things we do to experience satisfaction are coming to Jesus, believing in Him and drinking of the rivers of living water. This living water is the Holy Spirit that Jesus would give later at Pentecost. So, the Spirit has been given, He does indwell the hearts of those who are saved. So, why are we still thirsty? Why are we still so unhappy and unsettled?
It is clear that Jesus is not describing a one time event but rather a continuous action. The Spirit is in us. The river of God is in us and is a constant source of refreshment. His ability to quench our thirst is unabated but, we have to come...believe...and drink. When we try to find satisfaction anywhere other than in Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit we will remain parched and thirsty. Our futile attempts to find satisfaction by pursuing money, power, position, acceptance and such leaves us empty. But, “There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God” (Psalm 46:4). This joy is the essence of the satisfaction Jesus taught about and which Peter described as, “Joy inexpressible and full of glory (1 Peter 1:8). Our level of dissatisfaction is directly related to our failure to come to Jesus and drink.
Are you thirsty? Are you tired of searching for joy and happiness and not finding it? Come to Jesus. Believe in Him as Your Savior and Lord. Drink of the living water of His Spirit. Drink often and be satisfied!
Pastor Dan