Living Water

“And he said, "This is what the LORD says: 'Dig ditches all over this dry stream bed. Even though you will not see any rain or wind, this stream bed will be filled with water, and you, your livestock, and your pack animals will have plenty to drink.' " (2Kings 3:16-17)

Some background information. The kingdom was divided in two, Israel and Judah. The king of Israel, Ahab died and his son, Jehoram reigned over Israel. But Moab rebelled against Israel when Ahab died. So Jehoram sent word to Jehoshaphat, king of Judah to join him in battle against Moab because they had rebelled. The king of Edom joined the two kings. They plotted a journey of seven days but found no water anywhere. Jehoshaphat asks for a prophet of God to ask God what they should do. Someone suggests Elisha and so they go to him. Elisha is not happy to see the king of Israel and tells Jehoram to inquire of the gods of his mother and father who worshipped other gods. But because Elisha respected Jehoshaphat, Elisha spoke the word of the Lord (2 Kings 3:16-17).

God was going to perform a miracle for them. There would be no rainstorm, but if they were obedient and dug ditches, they would be filled with water. How many of us have been in a situation where there is no water to be found? In the Bible, water is a symbol for the Holy Spirit and spiritual things. If there is no water in our lives, we a devoid of spiritual things, devoid of the Holy Spirit. We were there before we came to the Lord. We were empty and felt empty. That place where the Holy Spirit lives in man was vacant because only the Holy Spirit can fill that place. Only the Holy Spirit can bring us understanding of spiritual things. And the Holy Spirit only lives in those who belong to Jesus. He is the guarantee of what is promised to us. “And you also became God's people when you heard the true message, the Good News that brought you salvation. You believed in Christ, and God put His stamp of ownership on you by giving you the Holy Spirit He had promised. The Spirit is the guarantee that we shall receive what God has promised His people, and this assures us that God will give complete freedom to those who are His. Let us praise His glory!” (Ephesians 1:13-14)

Our salvation is the miracle of water that we needed so much. Jesus in speaking to the Samaritan woman told her that He gives living water. When we receive this living water, we will never thirst again. “Jesus answered, "If you only knew what God gives and who it is that is asking you for a drink, you would ask Him, and He would give you life-giving water." "Sir," the woman said, "you don't have a bucket, and the well is deep. Where would you get that life-giving water? It was our ancestor Jacob who gave us this well; he and his children and his flocks all drank from it. You don't claim to be greater than Jacob, do you?" Jesus answered, "Those who drink this water will get thirsty again, but those who drink the water that I will give them will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give them will become in them a spring which will provide them with life-giving water and give them eternal life." (John 4:10-14)

Isaiah prophesied about Jesus being the water that saves. “A day is coming when people will sing, "I praise You, LORD! You were angry with me, but now You comfort me and are angry no longer. God is my savior; I will trust Him and not be afraid. The LORD gives me power and strength; He is my savior. As fresh water brings joy to the thirsty, so God's people rejoice when He saves them." (Isaiah 12:1-3) John also wrote about how the church and the Holy Spirit say to the heathen to come drink so that he will never be thirsty. So, it’s not only the Holy Spirit drawing people, but also the church calling people to repentance and salvation. “The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come!" Everyone who hears this must also say, "Come!" Come, whoever is thirsty; accept the water of life as a gift, whoever wants it.” (Revelation 22:17) The prophet Isaiah also called the people to come drink the water of salvation. “The LORD says, "Come, everyone who is thirsty—here is water! Come, you that have no money—buy grain and eat! Come! Buy wine and milk—it will cost you nothing!” (Isaiah 55:1)

Jesus satisfies that thirst and barrenness that was in our lives. “As a deer longs for a stream of cool water, so I long for You, O God. I thirst for You, the living God. When can I go and worship in Your presence?” (Psalms 42:1-2) When we think about our thirst that was much like David’s description in psalms, we will “go” and take that water. Once we thirsted and longed for God. Now He is near, in us.