For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light.
Psalm 36:9 (NKJV)
Series: His Name is Jesus
Last weekend, my husband and I spent the morning hours working in the yard. The extreme heat had kept us from our usual outdoor chores, and the yard was in desperate need of groundskeeping. We started early, hoping to beat the heat, only to realize it was already so very hot! An hour into our quest, our thirst peaked, and we took a break to hydrate.
Water is essential for our physical bodies. It regulates body temperature, carries nutrients, removes waste, provides hydrostatic pressure, and cushions joints.
Praise the Lord, we have clean water to drink and satisfy the thirst of our physical bodies! But what satisfies our thirsty souls and spirits? Our minds race with ideas and entertain possibilities. Our flesh longs for satisfaction. Our emotions want acceptance and fulfillment. Our spirits desire truth, redemption, and perfect love. And only One meets all of our needs: the Fountain.
Old Testament scriptures prophesy about Jesus as a fountain.
“On that day, a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness.” (Zechariah 13:1 NKJV).
And it will come to pass in that day that the mountains shall drip with new wine, the hills shall flow with milk, and all the brooks of Judah shall be flooded with water; a fountain shall flow from the house of the Lord and water the Valley of Acacias. (Joel 3:18 NKJV)
From these verses, we understand that the Fountain washes away the guilt and stain of sin and brings life, vitality, provision, and satisfaction.
As we turn to the Gospels, we see Jesus teaching others about Himself and the living water He provides to those who believe in Him. In John 4:5-26, Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well. Verses 13-14 (NKJV) report:
Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
In John 7, the people celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, and Jesus is found teaching. Verses 37-39 (NKJV) say:
On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
From these teachings, we understand that the living water Jesus speaks of is the Holy Spirit. And Jesus is the fountain where this living water can be found and accessed. He is the source. Before the living water could be provided, the fountain had to be opened.
Jesus met with the Samaritan woman at the well in the same location Jacob had made his home (Genesis 33). When Jacob accessed that well, he tore the earth open and dug down to reach the life-giving water. Approximately 2,000 years later, that well was still providing water for Jesus and the woman to drink. And that well continues to function and dispense water today!
This is the parallel I see: Our human flesh is dust. Dry ground. Jesus is the Word made flesh. His flesh had to be torn at Calvary to open the fountain of living water. Once that fountain was tapped, His living water could flow to all who call upon Him, come to Him, and believe in Him.
Our hearts are another type of well that’s dug. Each one of us must choose to open our lives to receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior. When we do, rivers of living water flow to us and through us, bringing life to all the dead places in our lives.
The Fountain (Jesus) provides salvation and access to the living water. The Living Water (Holy Spirit) is never exhausted and abundantly brings blessings, satisfaction, strength, and refreshing. And we, as believers of Jesus Christ, share the blessings of the Fountain and Living Water with others.
Isaiah prophesied about our experience with the Fountain and Living Water:
Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’” Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. (Isaiah 12:2-3 NKJV)
For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring. (Isaiah 44:3 NKJV)
The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. (Isaiah 58:11 NKJV)
So the question for today is: Are you thirsty? Do you want to drink from the Fountain—the well of salvation?
Revelation 22:17 (NKJV) says:
And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
The invitation stands today, and the water is still flowing! Dip your jar into the well and draw the Living Water from the Fountain. Taste and see that the Lord is good!
Let His Living Water regulate the temperature of your attitude, sustain you with nourishment, remove all waste from your life, provide the right amount of pressure needed to strengthen you, and cushion you from every blow.
The Fountain is the source to satisfy the longing heart, fill the empty soul, quench every desire, and overflow you with abundant life. Drink deep!
Holding Fast to Hope,
Maryann
Scripture References: Psalm 34:8, 36:9; Deuteronomy 33:28; Jeremiah 2:13, 17:13; Zechariah 13:1; Joel 3:18; John 4:5-26, 7; Isaiah 12:2-3; 44:3, 55:1, 58:11; Revelation 21:6, 22:17
