Tag: thirst

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

I am so thirsty

Posted on by William Douthwaite

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:37,38)

What a contrast with the nasty stuff Jesus said comes out of the heart:

[Jesus said,] “What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.” (Matthew 15:18, 19)

You don’t know how spiritually thirsty you are until some of that sludge comes out of your mouth. That’s when you realize you could use a nice, long drink of Jesus. When we pray, “Create in me a clean heart, O God,” (Psalm 51:10), it’s like saying, “I am so thirsty.”

Good news. Trusting Jesus is like draining a 64 ounce jug of water in one gulp. More than you can handle. Getting it all over yourself. Plus splashing some on others.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Spiritual hydration

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Psalms 42 and 43.

Three times the psalmist asks,

“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?” (Psalm 42:5,11; 43:5)

It’s a great question. Someone else usually asks, “What’s your problem?” “Why are you down in the dumps?” “Are you still moping around?”

In these psalms, though, the writer is in tears. Days of festive worship and celebration are a dim memory. His enemies are relentless. God seems far away.

Three times, the psalmist answers his own question. “Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” It’s like saying, “Duh. Did you forget?” Remember all those times you celebrated God’s presence, power, and provision? What about all those answered prayers and unexpected blessings?

Has God changed? Of course not. He’s the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Is he faithful? Well, he’s got a great track record. He’s kept all his promises so far. Is he distant? Not likely. He’s omnipresent. Everywhere. Most importantly, he’s right here, right now.

What’s your problem? Why are you moping around? You’ve listened an unbelieving world. You’ve lost sight of your future.

And you probably didn’t hydrate. Dehydration can cause headaches, fatigue, muscle cramps, weakness, irritabilty, feeling cold, dry skin, and no doubt many other conditions.

When your soul is thirsty, you’re anxious, sad, fearful, lonely, lack direction, and are discontent. In the Old Testament, God said, “Come, everyone who thirsts” (Isaiah 55:1). Jesus said, ” If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink” (John 7:37).

If you’re experiencing any of those symptoms, you need some Jesus. You need a shot of grace with a chaser of his steadfast love. You need his word, promises, and assurances. You need his church, worship, and communication (prayer). You need to remember his power, presence, and provision.

A recommended habit I’ve adopted is to drink a glass of water when I wake up each morning. The advocators described it as an “internal shower.”

In a similar way, drink a glass of divine water each day by reading his word, reflecting on his promises, and thanking him for whatever comes to mind. Spiritually hydrate and give your soul a lift.

Posted in worship

You are thirsty.

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you in turmoil within me? (Psalm 42:5)

As a deer pants for flowing streams,
    so pants my soul for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God,
    for the living God. (Psalm 42:1,2)

The psalmist puts his finger on the problem when the symptom is discouragement. When you are discouraged, that is, when you soul is “cast down,” you’re thirsty. Your soul is thirsty for God.

Who hasn’t felt discouraged? You might be discouraged because you tried your hardest but failed. Or someone let you down. Someone you thought you could depend on. Discouragement can arise when reality is far less than your dreams. Or when you feel like you’re the only one who cares. I am sure there are a hundred other things that could make you wonder, “Why are you cast down, O my soul?”

In this psalm, we learn that discouragement is a manifestation of spiritual thirst. You know what physical thirst feels like. Dry mouth, scratchy throat, and a craving for anything liquid. Spiritual thirst feels like a horrible terrible no good very bad day.

Here’s the thing: a wonderful successful tremendous very good day will not quench that thirst. Only God can. A soul that thirsts is a soul that thirst for God. Why? Because we screw up and wander so far from Him. Because we forget his promises, take his gifts for granted, trust in horses, chariots and our own strength, and neglect to pray.

So where do you go to get a nice long tall drink of God for your soul? His Word. Prayer. Worship. He’s right there when we gather in His name. He faithfully touches our hearts with His Word. He loves to engage us in conversational prayer. He reminds us of that cooler of water dumped over our head in baptism.

When I’ve had it “up to here,” I just need to stop. Stop trying, stop blaming, stop justifying and stop pretending. Stop and listen to Him. Alone, or with a few, or with the church. Open my Bible and open my heart. What a joy and what a game-changer to drink from His well!