Living Water
Good Morning Girls! Proverbs 28:1b the godly are as bold as lions. Ordinarily I would have skimmed over this verse, assuming it is pretty self explanatory. We all know lions are bold, and we are supposed to be bold. There- point taken. Let's move on to the next Proverb. However, I am beginning to realize more and more that the Lord does not simply throw metaphors (or is it an analogy?) around. They generally have more to them- but you have to seek out the "hidden" meaning. So when my family was looking for a tv show to watch together, my ears perked up when we came across the animal planet that just happened to be featuring a show all about lions. In fact there were 2 channels that were featuring lion shows so during commercials we could flip to the other one. I know all I need to know about lions! Let me share some of the facts I believe the Lord wants us to see.
Lions are referred to as the King of Beasts. They are known for their confidence and courage. They walk with their head held high. They exhibit an amazing amount of grace and power. Wow Jen, tell us something we don't know. Okay- here's the part that spoke to my heart. Lions much have regular access to water and often take 15 minutes to quench their thirst.
As soon as I heard that fact the words living water went off in my head. During Jesus' ministry he spoke of living water. He said in John 4 that those who drink of it will never be thirsty again. It will become a fresh, bubbling spring within us, giving us eternal life! Later in John 7 he again speaks of the living water. It says in John 7:39 that when he said "living water" he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. At this time, the Spirit had not been given, as Jesus was still with them. So, it is the Holy Spirit that is the living water. Stay with me here.
Let's go to the book of Acts. Many of you are familiar with this account. The believers were praying to God as Peter and John had just been released from jail. In Acts 4:29 they prayed "And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Acts 4:31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness. They were filled with the Holy Spirit, the living water, and then they preached with boldness. They were as bold as lions!
You see, just as lions in the wild need to have regular access to water at all times- so must we have the Holy Spirit, the living water! We need him to quench our thirst. We need him in order to access the boldness, power, and grace that only comes from this living water. Is it coincidence that the lion "often needs to take 15 minutes to quench his thirst"? Hmmmmm..... Now I am not trying to put you under some rule or law when it comes to your time with the Lord. It's just that I happen to believe, as evidenced in my own life, that when I stop at the well of living water- even for just 15 minutes, I feel more like a king of the jungle, than when I try to go it alone. Whether it's on the treadmill, in the car, in my special devotional chair, or in the shower- 15 minutes gives me the courage and confidence to go about my day!
John 7:38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, 'Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.'
Heading to the river-
Jen
ps There is another characteristic of lions that I thought I would share......During mating season (which is every 16 days if she is not already pregnant) The lions mate every 15-30 minutes for several days! Praise the Lord that that is sooooo not scriptural!
Lions are referred to as the King of Beasts. They are known for their confidence and courage. They walk with their head held high. They exhibit an amazing amount of grace and power. Wow Jen, tell us something we don't know. Okay- here's the part that spoke to my heart. Lions much have regular access to water and often take 15 minutes to quench their thirst.
As soon as I heard that fact the words living water went off in my head. During Jesus' ministry he spoke of living water. He said in John 4 that those who drink of it will never be thirsty again. It will become a fresh, bubbling spring within us, giving us eternal life! Later in John 7 he again speaks of the living water. It says in John 7:39 that when he said "living water" he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. At this time, the Spirit had not been given, as Jesus was still with them. So, it is the Holy Spirit that is the living water. Stay with me here.
Let's go to the book of Acts. Many of you are familiar with this account. The believers were praying to God as Peter and John had just been released from jail. In Acts 4:29 they prayed "And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Acts 4:31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness. They were filled with the Holy Spirit, the living water, and then they preached with boldness. They were as bold as lions!
You see, just as lions in the wild need to have regular access to water at all times- so must we have the Holy Spirit, the living water! We need him to quench our thirst. We need him in order to access the boldness, power, and grace that only comes from this living water. Is it coincidence that the lion "often needs to take 15 minutes to quench his thirst"? Hmmmmm..... Now I am not trying to put you under some rule or law when it comes to your time with the Lord. It's just that I happen to believe, as evidenced in my own life, that when I stop at the well of living water- even for just 15 minutes, I feel more like a king of the jungle, than when I try to go it alone. Whether it's on the treadmill, in the car, in my special devotional chair, or in the shower- 15 minutes gives me the courage and confidence to go about my day!
John 7:38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, 'Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.'
Heading to the river-
Jen
ps There is another characteristic of lions that I thought I would share......During mating season (which is every 16 days if she is not already pregnant) The lions mate every 15-30 minutes for several days! Praise the Lord that that is sooooo not scriptural!
Comments