Love like a river

During Sukkot, two important ceremonies took place. The Hebrew people carried torches around the temple, illuminating bright candelabrum along the walls of the temple to demonstrate that the Messiah would be a light to the Gentiles. Also, the priest would draw water from the pool of Siloam and carry it to the temple where it was poured into a silver basin beside the altar. The priest would call upon the Lord to provide heavenly water in the form of rain for their supply. During this ceremony the people looked forward to the pouring out of the Holy Spirit.  (Feast of Tabernacles, Mary Fairchild)

So as the Jews were looking forward to the time of the Messiah, looking forward to an outpouring of God’s favor by bringing the Messiah to them, Jesus stood and provided the answer. He was the source of living water!  So when Jesus spoke these words, He was declaring Himself  as the Messiah and the fulfillment of these promises, these prophecies.

·Spoken words [L The words of a person’s mouth] can be like deep water, ·but [or and] the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream. Proverbs 18:4 EXB

The Banias Waterfall on Israel. Author: Nahum Dam (2004) Photo by NahumDam

Isaiah 44: 3 I will pour out water for the thirsty land and make streams flow on dry land. I will pour out my Spirit ·into your children [on your descendants/offspring/seed] and my blessing on your ·descendants [offspring].

I realize as I get older how much I love to be near water. I grew up spending time on the shores of Lake Michigan every summer. The warm sand, the cold water, the waves, the stillness, the thunderstorms that would fly across the water…so much of the Lord speaking to me. Now, as I take my children to Lake Michigan, as we live very close to a small lake, as we vacation (courtesy of my sweet neighbor) God draws me to Himself by way of His waters. I listen to music today and He declares to me, His Love is Like a River. Then I hear this one:

Isaiah declares the word of the Lord! He will pour forth water, streams will flow, His Spirit will pour out. And then jump back to Jesus’ words, Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink!

I’ve heard it said,

I really like the message of the Bible, I just don’t think Jesus is the only way to God. There are many pathways to God.

Oh, my friends, if we truly look through the Old Testament, searching the clues, there is no way that we can come to this conclusion. I found this amazing article that discusses how Jesus is the only way.  He is the way, the truth and the life. Right?

17 “The poor and needy people look for water,    but ·they can’t find any [there is none].    Their tongues are ·dry [parched] with thirst.But I, the Lord, will answer ·their prayers [L them];    I, the God of Israel, will not ·leave them to die [L abandon/forsake them].18 I will ·make rivers flow [L open rivers] on the ·dry hills [barren heights]    and springs flow through the valleys.I will change the ·desert [wilderness] into ·a lake [pools] of water and the ·dry [arid; parched] land into ·fountains [springs] of water.John 7

So, we come. I come, Lord Jesus. I know that my help comes only from the Lord. I can face this day with You. I can show love and kindness, not in my strength, but in Yours alone. You are the rays of sunshine bursting through the trees.  Friends, what if it is all true? We never, ever need to be afraid. His love never fails. It never gives up. Mathematical Probability aside, Jesus fills. He restores. He will not leave you ever. Can anyone else make promises like this?

Pray on. Pray on.