Daily Journal: 11 October

Living with Thirst

When we’ve been spiritually thirsty for many days and months, which turn into years, over time, don’t we begin to wonder if the thirst we carry will ever be quenched? We become parched after so long of waiting for water.

You might say this:

I’ve been thirsty for a long time. Thirsty for well-being; thirsty for healing; thirsty for change; thirsty for more goodness; thirsty for God’s Spirit to do what only He can do.

The bible says this:

John 10:10 (GNT)

The thief comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come in order that you might have life—life in all its fullness.

You might say this:

I know God is real. I know God is love. I know God is powerful. I know God is faithful. I know I am thirsty and He is the One I’m waiting on to quench my thirst. I know He will bless my land because He says so. I know He says He will be like a stream of water flowing over my family. I know He says He will cause us to be fruitful. I know He sees what nobody else can see. I know He says that in the very places where we have seen devastation, loss and helplessness, where we have been outcasts and fugitives, where we have no place of rest, He says there will be restoration and renewal, power, belonging and recompense.

If we’ve been living, knowing there’s abundance, believing in fullness of life but not experiencing it, our thirst keeps driving us towards the more of God that He wants us to experience. He is using our thirst in order to drive us to the deep well that will finally quench our thirst. He isn’t stingy or mean. We’re not to be doubtful or hopeless. We are to walk in His authority as we hold out a vessel for the thirst He will quench. Over time, if our thirst becomes greater, we need to pick up a greater vessel for the quenching that will finally come.

Isaiah 44:3-5 (TLB)

For I will give you abundant water for your thirst and for your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit and my blessings on your children. They shall thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank. “I am the Lord’s,” they’ll proudly say, or, “I am a Jew,” and tattoo upon their hands the name of God or the honoured name of Israel.

The people who have truly been living with thirst; those who have been ridiculed and dismissed and targeted and devastated are the ones who become most thankful, most passionate, most ardent, most inspired, most joyful, because they truly understand what it is to be saved. They truly understand what it is to pour out from the same vessel they’re holding up for refilling, even while they wait to be restored.

Isaiah 44:3-5 (ICB)

I will pour out water for the thirsty land. I will make streams flow on dry land. I will put my Spirit into your children. My blessing will be like a stream of water flowing over your family. Your children will grow like a tree in the grass. They will be like poplar trees growing beside streams of water. One person will say, ‘I belong to the Lord.’ Another will use the name Jacob. Another will sign his name ‘I am the Lord’s.’ And another will use the name Israel.”

Ezekiel 36:35 (NIV)

They will say, “This land that was laid waste has become like the garden of Eden; the cities that were lying in ruins, desolate and destroyed, are now fortified and inhabited.”

Isaiah 45:8 (ICB)

“Sky above, make victory fall like rain. Clouds, pour down victory. May the earth receive it. May salvation grow. May victory grow with it. I, the Lord, have created it.