“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters.” Isaiah 55:1

July has been a hot month even here in the mountains. Temperatures are hovering in the mid to high eighties. While mornings are pleasantly cooler, the heat ratchets upwards by late afternoon. My veggies in the garden thrive in this blessing of heat. Eggplant, peppers, even a few small tomatoes are putting on a show and the green beans which are notorious for freezing out too early have a good chance of producing more than leaves.

I am delighted to see what God brings forth in the gardens, but part of my job is to make sure everything is well watered every morning and sometimes again in the afternoon. Without plenty of water, plants would quickly wilt and die. Life, especially human life, needs water. I found that out the hard way last week when I got badly dehydrated. Now, I am not one who naturally drinks a lot of water. I could blame my German father who was of the opinion that water is for bathing in, not for drinking – and would grimace when offered anything “that wet. “ Water is boringly tasteless so I will ignore my need for it – until I become seriously thirsty, especially at night. By that time I have to gulp the sink dry – and afterwards feel bloated, cramped and – still thirsty.

When I became dehydrated last week, no amount of liquid seemed to help because I was physically out of balance. My body needed a total reset. Thankfully, I felt better the next day. Note to self: water is good for you!

In the Bible water is an integral l life force for a desert people whose existence depended on clear, “living” water resources. It is also a powerful metaphor for mankind’s spiritual thirst for God in the midst of a nation needing the Spirit’s rain.

I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land. Psalm 143:6

David often writes of thirsting for God. In times of stress he cries out to the Lord,

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God. 2My soul thirsts for God, the living God. Psalm 42:1-2

The graphic image of a deer panting for water is of desperate need and survival. David thirsts for God’s Spirit to quench and sustain him, like a parched animal with its tongue out, lapping up water in a stream. It’s an apt picture of how we can become dangerously physically and spiritually dehydrated.

Prophets and psalms point toward Jesus who became our Living Water; who offered Himself to the Samaritan woman so she would thirst no more; who invites us to come freely to drink of the waters of life as Isaiah prophesied; from Whom fountains and rivers and streams of eternal life flow; who died, saying “I thirst” on the cross to be our righteousness; and who is the Promise in Revelation that every natural and spiritual thirst will be satisfied in Him.

On the great Feast of Tabernacles Jesus offered Himself as libation, not as a good man nor as a prophet, but as the source of life.

On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’ John 7: 37-39

How thirsty are you today? How parched is your body and soul for the real deal to quench that longing that will not be satisfied? Have you been downing artificial sports drinks or energy concoctions or even cases of bottled water trying to find relief? How dehydrated apart from the Word of God have you allowed yourself to become?

It’s not complicated. Open your Bible. Read Isaiah and pray the Psalms. Spend time in the Gospel of John. Respond to Jesus’ invitation to come and drink from Him. His water is good, quenching every thirsting soul.