Then He showed me the river whose waters give life, sparkling like crystal, flowing out from the throne of God and of the Lamb. (Revelation 22:1 - Amplified Bible).
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We read throughout God's Word, the Bible, references made to Living Water. Indeed Jesus made reference to this type of drinking water to the Samaritan woman, to whom Jesus spoke by the well. In the Book of John 4, Jesus initially asked the woman 'Give me a drink'. The Samaritan woman responded by querying why Jesus being a Jew would ask her, a Samaritan (with whom the Jews would dare not speak), for a drink. Jesus replied thus, If you had only known and had recognized God's gift and Who this is that is saying to you, 'Give Me a drink', you would have asked Him [instead] and He would have given you living water. (John 4: 8-10) Later in Jesus' conversation with the woman, He expands on this statement and in so doing distinguishes between literal water that we drink daily and spiritual water. In John 4:13-14 we read, Jesus answered her, All who drink of this water will be thirsty again. But whoever takes a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty anymore. But the water that I will give him shall become a spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling) [continually] within him unto eternal life. What is this Living Water and from where can we drink this in order to gain eternal life?
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In the Book of Jeremiah 2:13 God Almighty identifies the source of this Living Water, For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the Fountain of Living waters. Later in the Bible Jesus again made reference to this life-giving water in John 7:38, He who believes in Me as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow springs and rivers of living water. Therefore, Jesus and God are identified as the source of this spiritual living water which has the power to impart everlasting Life to all those who drink this water. How we take in this living water is by believing in God and Jesus, which means by trusting and relying on God and Jesus implicitly.
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The living water is symbolized by God's Word the Bible which we are required to read daily in order to be refreshed for our dealings in everyday life. Just as we are required to drink literal water daily in order to stay alive (without water, a person will literally die within a matter of days) likewise, spiritually, we need to drink life's water, that is, God's Word the Bible, daily in order to remain spiritually alive and to inherit eternal life. In Revelation 22: 17, Jesus speaks, The Holy Spirit and the bride say, 'Come! And let him who is listening say, Come! And let everyone come who is thirsty; and whoever desires to do it, let him come, take, appropriate and drink the water of Life without cost. In this Scripture we are encouraged to drink Life's living water and to act upon what we have learned by applying the principles found in God's Word to our daily life. Without actively participating in applying God's Word and without being doers of God's Word, then we cannot become refreshed by this spiritual living water which Jesus offers.
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Hence a Christian must be active, actively seeking God and to do His Will; not passive listeners. In James 1:22 Christians are admonished to become doers of God's Word . To be a doer means to observe the principles laid down in this Holy book and to participate in carrying out God's Will. Indeed, when individuals are depressed, God's Word speaks consolingly and provides comfort. When faced with trials, God's Word gives encouragement, strengthening individuals to endure and to go through them with the help of God's Holy Spirit. Also, if faced with a decision that a Christian may need to make the Bible offers guidance, again, through God's Holy Spirit. Moreover, the Bible instructs Christ's followers on how to treat other people, to display fruits of the Spirit through kindness, patience, love, joy, peace, goodness, gentleness, self-control and faithfulness (Galatians 5:22-23). Therefore, in all our dealings with other people we are required to apply these character traits. The Holy Spirit motivates and guides us to displaying these qualities as it guide us to Life's springs of Living water.
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For all those who hunger and thirst for righteousness they will be satisfied, as promised by Jesus in Matthew 5. Indeed, Jesus guarantees that everyone who continues in God's Word will have spiritual prosperity and a joy-filled life with infinite blessings now and in the Life that is to come. Therefore, may we all be guided by the fine Shepherd (the Lamb) to the springs of the waters of life and to actively drink Life's Living Water, which will eternally refresh us and sustain us spiritually, until we are able to meet Christ when He returns.
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