Satisfying Our Spiritual Thirst

On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone

is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. (John 7:37-39)

Grabbing the attention of His hearers on the most important day of the Feast, Jesus loudly proclaims a wide and full and free invitation to all mankind–establishing with certainty the gospel as being eminently wonderful news. I am reminded of the prophet Isaiah’s words:

"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.” (Isaiah 55:1-2)

Apart from Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, mankind remains spiritually thirsty, anxious of soul, in need of pardon before a Holy God, and longing for a lasting peace. God’s perfect law convicts us of our sin. We are in a hopeless state. No one possesses the ability to be declared righteous in God’s sight by observing the law, for apart from Jesus, we all remain helpless. We will always be found wanting. Paul tells us:

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)

The Jews were all too familiar with their lack of ability. The sacrificial system served as a constant reminder. God had warned His people through the prophet Jeremiah that they had forsaken Him, the Spring of Living Water, and had dug their own pathetic broken cisterns. They had replaced the one true God with false idols which could never satisfy nor meet their needs:

"My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” (Jeremiah 2:13)

When we come to the realization of our sinful state, it is then that we desire the help and relief that comes through forgiveness. This is the idea behind Jesus’ choice of the word “thirsty.” Who has not been thirsty? Who has not been parched and desirous of having their thirst quenched? What we perhaps know all too well in the physical realm, Jesus relates to a spiritual truth. Unfortunately, we often seek to quench our spiritual thirst with almost everything but the Living Water! From money to pleasure, to honor, to prestige, to self indulgence –there is no limit to man’s chase for satisfaction or the careless handling of their own souls. We seem to go to great lengths not to pursue what ultimately satisfies. Jesus tells us:

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Matthew 5:6)

Take It to Heart

Isaiah prophesied:

The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. (Isaiah 58:11)

Peace is only to be had in Christ Jesus who serves as our mediator and substitute. To come to Christ is to believe in Him and to be filled with Him.

Thirsting After God

Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit (2 Kings 2:9).

One of the first requirements to move in greater power and authority in God is to hunger for it. Yet, even this hunger is born from God. Elisha hungered after God. Elisha saw many miracles as the servant of Elijah. But he wanted more. He wanted a double portion of Elijah's spirit. When he asked Elijah for this he responded, "You have asked a difficult thing." It wasn't because it couldn't be granted. Elijah knew that with great anointing came a great weight of responsibility and difficulty.

Secondly, humility comes before honor. Elisha was known as the "servant of Elijah." How would you like to be known as "the servant of John?" Your name is not even mentioned. This was the preparation of Elisha. It has been the preparation of many men of God. Consider Joseph, the servant of Pharaoh. Consider David, the servant of Saul.

Thirdly, Elisha committed himself totally to his calling. When Elisha was called to join Elijah the scripture says he left his farm business completely. He destroyed his oxen and had a great feast for the community. It was all or nothing. He could not fall back on his farm trade if his new venture didn't work. This demonstrates Elisha's pioneer spirit in stepping out, not knowing what was ahead.

Do you want greater anointing in God? "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart. I will be found by you"(Jeremiah 29:13). Begin thirsting for God's anointing today in you heart. This is the starting place.