Living Water
“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
Have you ever been desperately thirsty? Has your mouth ever felt so dry that you couldn’t concentrate on anything else? Quenching your thirst becomes the top priority when that happens. Nothing else matters until you’ve been relieved of your dehydration. This is how we’re meant to seek God, with a deep craving that can’t be satisfied by anything but His presence and His Word. Yet we find ourselves looking to other things to feed our soul, things that are more alluring and accessible.
A pastor I knew shared an illustration in his sermon once, about a group of friends who were shipwrecked and floating out to see in a small life raft. Hours had passed and as the sun beat down on them, the passengers grew thirstier and thirstier. They knew if they resorted to drinking the ocean water the salt would only dehydrate them further, but their throats were so parched and their heads so pained they couldn’t think straight. One by one they began to scoop the ocean water into their cupped hands and drink. As each person gave in to the lure of the ocean the others tried to talk sense into them, assuring them the saltwater would only make things worse. But they wouldn’t listen, and eventually, every passenger fell victim to the same temptation. At first, the cold water refreshed them and brought them relief. But over time they fell ill, and their condition grew grave. By the time rescue arrived, they had all perished.
We often do the same as these poor passengers. In our weariness, we abandon all reason for the false promises the world has to offer. We disregard the wisdom of friends and instead listen to the words of the world. We know we may regret it, but in the moment it feels so good. We’re too impatient to wait for what we really need. We want immediate gratification, but doing so leads to destruction, regret, and death. Oh that we would have the wisdom and self-control to seek only what can truly satisfy us, the living God.
David, the author of Psalms, understood what his soul truly needed, and it wasn’t anything he could find on earth. He knew only God could satisfy the deep cravings of his heart. Every void he felt could be filled by His Creator. Knowing how vital water is for any wildlife to survive, he compared his need for God to a deer panting for water. David’s anticipation of talking to God is palpable: “When can I go and meet with God?” he begs. When was the last time you were that excited about opening your Bible or sitting before the Lord in prayer? For me, it’s been too long. I am easily distracted by the things of this world. I seek temporary fulfillment in books, shopping, friends, and even my family, but none of them come close to the deep satisfaction I have after time spent with Jesus. He is a cold drink of water to my dry and weary soul.
Study & Reflection: God is often referred to as “living water” in the Bible. Read through the following scriptures and reflect on what it means to you personally to be offered living water. How does that change your life?
“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” -John 7:38
“The Samaritan woman said to him, ‘You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?’ (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” -John 4:10-11
“Lord, you are the hope of Israel; all who forsake you will be put to shame. Those who turn away from you will be written in dust because they have forsaken the Lord, the spring of living water.” -Jeremiah 17:13
Prayer: Where are you seeking temporary satisfaction? What consequences will you face? Ask God to help you turn your eyes to Him, the only One who can meet your needs. Meditate on Jeremiah 58:11 as you pray: “The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring who waters never fail.”