The Great Drought

“On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let them come to me and drink. Whosoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within them.’”
John 7:37-38 (NIV UK)

For the last two years here in California, we’ve experienced lots of sunshine—but not a lot of rain. In fact, this last summer was on record as being the driest we’ve ever experienced. Luckily, Jesus has promised “living water” to all those who follow him. 

“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water that I give them shall never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:13-14).

We all go through many different seasons in our spiritual walk with the Lord. We go through times of deep connection and great feelings of joy in what God is doing in and through us. But, sometimes we can feel as if we’ve reached a spiritual plateau, as if we’re the dried out riverbeds in dire need of water to remind us of God’s truth. This can sometimes feel like a spiritual drought. When this happens, where can we go for relief?

I’d suggest we turn to the word of God and take another look at the words of Christ. He is, after all, ‘The Word’ mentioned at the beginning of John’s gospel. The living water he talked about is Him—‘The Word’—and our Bible could be seen as a well of living water that flows straight from God himself. There is truth and encouragement in the words of Christ.

When you’re in the middle of a spiritual drought and feeling like a dried riverbed, why not open up your Bible and dive into the word of Christ. Not to analyse or increase your understanding, but just to soak in it. Receive it. Take it in. Be reminded of who he is and with whom we are in relationship, our Heavenly Father and Brother, with us and in us, by the Spirit. He’s promised us living water that will not run dry.

Prayer
Holy Father, thank you for the promise of the Holy Spirit to be with us, to comfort us, to help us as we need in this Christian life; to help us understand the spiritual in our physical lives. Truly, the analogy of living water is fitting to help us understand your promise and its fulfilment daily in us. Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen

Study by Joseph Tkach

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About the Author:
Joseph Tkach is the President of Grace Communion International (the Denominational name of The Worldwide Church of God UK), and resides in California, USA. You are welcome to attend one of our local Church congregations located throughout the UK and Ireland.  For details of your nearest local congregation, check on our website, www.wcg.org.uk under the ‘Churches’ tab, or ring +44 (0)1858 437099.

Contact:
Email:  admin@daybyday.org.uk