Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” —John 4:10 NIV

Once, long ago, a solitary woman trudged to a well in Samaria at midday to fetch water. It just so happened that Jesus and His disciples were also in Samaria, and Jesus had stopped at that very same well while His disciples went into the nearby town for food. When Jesus met this woman at the well, He asked for a drink. He then spoke to her and offered her “living water.” He told her, “Everyone who drinks this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life”  (John 4:13 NIV). What an incredible offer!

I think about the times my husband and I have been thirsty over the years, longing for a simple drink of water. I remember a time when we had had a very busy day and just wanted to rest and collapse at the end of it. It was summer, and it was hot. Suddenly, a thunderstorm hit, and the flashes of lightning were really frightening! As it calmed down, we went to the kitchen for a drink of water from the faucet, and … Nothing! The lightning had struck our local power station. No water came out of our faucets. None! What a shock and a disappointment. We are spoiled in this country and simply expect water to be available at any time. It’s humbling to remember that in some countries, women must walk to a river, draw water, and carry the heavily loaded jars and sacks home again to provide water for their family.

We have experienced other times of thirst as well, which highlighted how much our bodies crave water when deprived of it, even for a short while. One day, we suddenly decided to climb a nearby mountain. With no preparation, we simply set off and climbed to the top. After that climb, we were thirsty, but there were no wells on mountaintops, and our lack of preparation meant we’d brought nothing with us. Oh, how we longed for water that day … but there was none! Just like on our thunderstorm day, there was no water to be had, no matter how much we longed for it.

When Jesus met this woman at the well long ago and asked for a drink of water, He offered her something unique in return: “living water.” With Jesus, the power never goes out. His river never runs dry. He is never unprepared. Instead, He offers us the power of the Holy Spirit—living water—to help us live our lives, trusting Him to provide at all times. When we come close to Him in a time of need, He gives us treasured moments of joy, showing He cares and pouring out comfort. May we always come to Him in our deepest troubles, knowing that He will pour out the Spirit upon us and give us the joy of His living water. He helps us now in this life, and someday, when we join Him in Heaven, living water we cannot imagine will be waiting for us!

“For the Lamb at the center of the throne
will be their Shepherd;
‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’
‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”
—Revelation 7:17 NIV

Dear Lord, thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to live within us and give us power when we need it for each new day of life. Thank You that in Heaven there will be springs of living water and that You Yourself will wipe away the tears from our eyes. We are so blessed to be Yours. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Margaret is Sharon’s Mum. She and her husband have celebrated 70 years of marriage! They enjoy hiking, biking, canoeing, and just being outdoors, watching wildlife. Margaret played the piano for many years as part of a nursing home ministry. She has written many articles for her church newsletter, and some of these have been compiled into a trilogy of books: Holding My Father’s Hand, Holding My Daughter’s Hand, and Holding My Heavenly Father’s Hand, all available here on Amazon.

Saved by Grace,
Margaret Fowler

Sweet Selah Ministries

Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service

Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)

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