Physical
thirst is caused by our pituitary gland when it secretes two hormones - one
signaling our kidneys and one to our hypothalamus to alert our salivary glands.
When we
desire God as much as we crave water when we are physically thirsty, and we seek
Him as much as we seek a drink of water, we shall find Him (Psalm 42:1-2,
143:6).
When Jesus
came, He offered us a drink of His living water so that we would thirst no more
(John 4:14, 7:37). From the wells of salvation, we can access this living water
at any time (Isaiah 12:3).
Humanity
goes to broken cisterns to find relief for their spiritual thirst: drugs,
alcohol, food, sex and other addictions. These sources provide momentary
relief, but have negative consequences and lethal side effects.
God
provided a way through Christ for whosoever wills to come to Jesus in order to have
their spiritual thirst satiated for eternity. Most people do not realize they
are thirsty until they have desensitized their need with the things of this
world.
God gives
us a clear picture of our soul's thirst by comparing it to a deer that longs
for water from the brook (Psalm 42:1-2). Biblical characters exemplify our need
to quench our soul's thirst in this weary world in which we live (Psalm 63:1,
143:6).
Our
intimacy with God matures as we learn to find our repose in Him, and He
supplies our every need through His glorious riches (Ephesians 3:16-19). We hunger and thirst
for more of Him, and He fills us to overflowing (Matthew 5:6; Luke 6:38).
Prayer:
Father
God, we want to enjoy Your presence in our spirit and soul on a continual
basis. You give us health for our body and soul as we drink our fill from the
wells of Your salvation (Isaiah 12:3). Draw us to Your presence and fill us
with Your Spirit in ever-increasing heights of spirituality and satisfaction in
our soul (Psalm 23:4).
Through
the examples of the Saints of old, You taught us of the futility of attempting
to find solace for our spiritual thirst by seeking fulfillment from things of
this world (Ecclesiastes 2:1-12, 12:13). Remind us that there are no works of
righteousness, which we can do to satiate our thirst, other than simply coming
to Christ for salvation and walking in Your preordained will for our life
(Ephesians 2:8-10).
Thought
for the Day:
Satiating
our thirst will never occur if we simply observe the water and do not drink; we
must come to Christ for salvation in order to enjoy the benefits inherent in
this decision to partake of His living water.
