All Who are Thirsty

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He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.”  - Revelations 21:6

There is something about a tall glass of ice water on a hot day.  As you lift the glass to your lips, you can almost feel the coolness before it passes over the threshold.  Your mind is already realizing the impact that the water will have on your body simply by observing the condensation that has formed on the outside of the glass.  Then it becomes reality as it enters your body and begins to quench the thirst that is inside.  It has no taste, it has no color and no artificial sweeteners, yet it surpasses all other beverages as the most healthy thing to drink on a daily basis.

In Genesis we read of God’s creation:
“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.” (Gen 1:2)

When God cleansed the world of sin and unrighteousness, He brought the floods:
“The waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days.” (Gen 7:24)

God parted the sea through Moses  obedience, and delivered the Israelites from Egypt:
“Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided” (Exodus 14:21)

God brought water from the stone to quench the thirst of the Israelites:
“I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.” (Exodus 17:6)

Job, despite his pain and agony, recognizes the authority and power of God Almighty:
““Can you raise your voice to the clouds and cover yourself with a flood of water?” (Job38:34)

Jesus, was baptized in the waters of the Jordon:
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.” (Matthew 3:16)

Jesus turned water to wine: (John 2:1)
Jesus calmed the waters: (Luke 8:24)
Jesus walked on the water: (Matthew 14:22)
Jesus gives the water of life to the woman at the well: (John 4:10-15)
Jesus thirsts on the cross: (John 19:28)

We are all born through the water (amniotic fluid) and require it for survival throughout our lives.  God created from the waters in the beginning and will sustain us through eternity from the spring of water of life.  The connection between God, life and water is evidenced throughout all of scripture (over 620 references) and when God tells us He is the Alpha and Omega, He is telling us that though water is essential for life, He is even more so for He is before the water and will be above the water in the end. 

There is no cost for this water of life, it is given freely by our Lord and Savior – Jesus Christ; for all to partake of.  So drink up my friend, there is nothing more satisfying or fulfilling than drinking from the cup offered to you by God Almighty.  Soon we will never thirst again.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
For an archive of Daily Thoughts go to: http://www.10minutereader.com

The Thirsting Soul

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.  When can I go and meet with God?” – Psalm 42:1-2

One of the great things about living in the Woodlands, Texas is that in a city of nearly 100,000 people we have a tremendous amount of nature settings, woods, streams and lakes.  This natural setting of God’s great earth brings man and animal together in many different ways.  Deer frequently are seen along the sides of the road or along the riverbanks and amidst the trees as one might drive through our beautiful city.  I recall one morning I was driving to work and came to a bridge over one of the many streams through the Woodlands and standing alongside the embankment were no less than 20 deer of various age. From larger males with a full rack of antlers to spotted fawns staying very close to their mothers, they were unphased by the passing cars as they ate from the morning grass covered in dew. 

These animals seem so unbelievably docile and tender, a truly beautiful creation from our Lord.  As I drove closer the herd began to cross over the roadway in front of me.  I literally had to slam on the brakes as a few stood directly in the road and looked straight at me from in front of my car.  As I watched them, one by one, cross over I noticed they were going down to the river’s edge for a drink of water.  Putting their very life at risk by crossing in front of on-coming cars they were drawn to the fresh water, and as a group made their way to it.

I watch the news, I listen to the pundits and hear of the devastation, anger and conflict around the world and my heart longs for resolution.  It aches for God’s divine interaction and peace.  How long will God tolerate our obstinate and rebellious nature?  There is fresh water through His word, mercy and love and yet many will choose to drink from the fountain of filth and disdain.  As a people, we have become arrogant, prideful and self-centered.  A small percentage of the world today would tell you they are reliant on God or fear God’s wrath.  We choose to only see the side of God that is in line with our desires and wishes for life.   Drawing upon the mercy and love of God without considering His purpose and what it means in our life. 

Within each of us lies the Holy Spirit, with a purpose for your life.  A purpose that is to serve God Almighty with everything you have.  We eat from the garden of life and enjoy in the fruits, but are hesitant to actually step to the river and drink from His fullness.  In doing so, we are filled with the life changing presence of God that consumes one’s soul.  When we drink from His river our thirsts are forever quenched and our desire to serve and live for Him becomes overpowering.  This is what David describes in Psalm 42.  The longing for intimacy, for a deeper relationship with his Creator overwhelmed his soul. 

Do you not feel that same longing in your soul?  Has the message of God Almighty, through His word, become so watered down in your life that your passion has been calmed?  I propose that if we fully embrace the word of God, we could not help but run to His side and be filled with His Holy Spirit.  My soul longs for God to use me in a bigger way, yet am I truly willing to allow Him too?  That is the question that I, and many like me, struggle with daily.  The desire is there, but the willingness to submit control is lacking.  I lift my prayers to my Creator that He might soften my pride, my selfishness and create in me a heart that is more open to serving as He requires.  Won't you join me?

 

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://www.10minutereader.com

Jesus' - Words from the Cross #5

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 “Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.””  – John 19:28

 

The land was cracked and brittle.  It hadn’t rained in well over 100 days, perhaps even 150 when I walked along the pathway.  The days average temperature had been 98, with several days above 100.  The normal humidity which was in the air, to the point that made you feel wet as soon as you stepped out the front door was eerily absent.  I’m referring to the summer of 2011 here in Houston, Texas.  The longest drought I can remember and many say the longest on record.   Parched ground, brown grass, dead trees and bushes, no flowers, but plenty of weeds.  Everyone carried waters bottles with them as I recall.  I compare this to the trip I made to Israel in 2001 and I recall the desert heat well over 100 each day with no rain.  There was no humidity there either, but there was foliage.  Flowers were still blooming, mango and date trees lined the country side, fields were green and the yards in residential areas had thick green grass.  The people again carry water bottles with them everywhere we went.

Water is from the Lord.  He created the oceans and He created the waters above the firmament.  He decides where the wind shall blow and when the rain shall fall.  Who, if not God stores up rain in the heavens?  Who, if not God, created the water that streams from the mountains when the snow melts?  Who, if not God, created the water that springs from deep inside the earth?  Who, if not God, created the amniotic waters of the womb?  He and he alone could have released a shower of rain on that day, when His Son hung on that cross in a weakened state.

The words “I thirst” are the shortest of the seven words from the cross.  Jesus uttered these words after hanging on the cross for 6 hours while gasping for every single breath.  This statement demonstrates his humanity.  The pain and exhaustion of his human flesh was giving way to the inevitable death that was coming upon him.  He had lost incredible amounts of blood.  His body ravaged and torn in every possible manner as he hung there feeling the nails rip through his flesh as his weight pulled him down.  I imagine his body feverish and burning in agony and pain, and his lips dry and brittle to the wind and dry desert heat.  In this moment we see the reality that Jesus was a man in flesh and bone.  You and I have never suffered, nor will we suffer thirst of this intensity. 

Jesus, must humble himself once again before those remaining on the hill that day and beg for something to wet his lips.  Helpless, on the cross, to relieve his own thirst, he must seek the relief from others.  I believe Jesus knew that the thirst could not be quenched, but he also knew that there was more to say.  Was he finding momentary relief so he could press on for the next few moments before submitting to the darkness of death?   Perhaps, or perhaps he was thirsty for something more than just water upon his lips.  Perhaps taking on the sins of the world had left his spirit longing and thirsty to be filled again with the loving grace, peace and mercy of the Lord.  Perhaps his thirst was a desire to hear the words of His Father once again. 

His thirst could only be quenched by the Father, just as the thirst you have for truth and justice in this world can only be quenched by embracing the suffering Lord.  This thirst cannot be met through any worldly thing.  Drink of His word, His love and His grace – discover the living water that can only be found in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (John 4:6-10).  Come and drink.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
For additional Daily Thoughts, please visit: http://www.10minutereader.com