He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth.
Hosea 6:3
I woke up this morning to the sound of rain! Normally I would not be excited about that, but after many weeks of 90+ degree weather and no rain, I’m delighted! Many days have been so hot I haven’t wanted to be outside at all! Too hot for hiking or a bike ride – my favorite outdoor activities. The surrounding wheat fields are so dry that it will be an unprofitable year for the farmers. Worst of all, many fires are raging around the country destroying many homes and thousands of acres of land.
Even more concerning than drought from lack of rain is the spiritual drought that is evident in our nation. But God’s Word has the solution for that – “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water’” (John 7:38-39). Jesus was speaking of the Holy Spirit whom believers would receive after He had been crucified, buried, resurrected and ascended into heaven.
As I was thinking about how important lifegiving water is for our physical lives, I was reminded of the many Scriptures that speak of “living” for our spiritual lives. As you read these, ask God to make these words new and fresh and lifegiving. Notice the aspects of living.
God is alive!
Matthew 16:16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
1 Thessalonians 1:9 For they themselves report about us as to the kind of reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God…
Jesus is alive!
Acts 1:3 To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of things regarding the kingdom of God.
God’s Word is alive!
Heb 4:12 For the Word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
1 Peter 1:23 For you have been born again not of seed which is perishable, but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring Word of God.
As His followers, we are alive in Christ!
Romans 6:11 So you too, consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:10 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness
Colossians 2:13 And when you were dead in your wrongdoings and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our wrongdoings.
Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all time, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;
We have a living hope!
God asks us to respond to Him by presenting ourselves to Him as a living sacrifice!
Rom 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
PERSONAL REFLECTION
Would you describe your life now as filled with the Spirit and living water, or are you experiencing a spiritual drought? If you are experiencing living water, thank Him!
If you are experiencing spiritual drought, God invites us to come to Him in faith and trust Him for the abundant spiritual life He desires to give us. He longs to “lead us by still waters and restore our soul” (Psalm 23:1-6).
Ask Him for specific choices you can make to respond to His invitation?
Makes me think of the Reggie Coates song, “He is alive”!