Have you ever been so thirsty that when you finally got to a source to drink you drank about three glasses in three breathes? I can remember working as a college students outside during the summer months. Throughout the day I would get so thirsty that I didn’t really care what I drank, just so long as I drank something now! Sometimes I would drink something because it was the first available thing for me to drink -- and I would guzzle down a bunch of pop. The problem was I was still thirsty when I was done drinking, but I was too full to drink anymore! I drank from the wrong source… was not satisfied…but there was no more room to drink anymore!
It is absolutely necessary that the child of God quench his thirst with God!
1. The Role of Water
A sheep is composed of about 70% of water on an average. All this fluid is used to maintain normal body metabolism. If dehydration begins to set in, serious damage can be sustained in the sheep’s body, and the sheep can become weak. In other words, water is necessary for the proper function of the sheep.
The human soul has a capacity and need for the water of the Spirit of God.
If you travel to Greensburg, Kansas, you can pay a visit to what is billed as the “World’s Largest Hand-Dug Well.” Construction on the well began in the 1880s. As the railroads made their way across Kansas, a reliable source of water for the steam engines was essential. The work was done by teams of men using hand tools—shovels, picks, half barrels, pulleys, and rope. As they made their way downward, they lined the well shaft with limestone rock. The finished well is more than one hundred feet deep and more than thirty feet in diameter. It took enormous effort to reach the water, but it produced lasting results.
The Bible likens wise counsel to water in a deep well. Good advice is not just lying around on the surface—it takes work to find. There are plenty of people who have no idea what they are talking about but will be more than happy to give you a “piece of their mind.” And sadly, there will be plenty of people to give you advice that goes directly against the authority and commandments of Scripture. Anyone who wishes to be truly wise and reap the benefits of godly counsel is going to have to reject the simple approach and put forth effort—but the effort is worth it. (Source: Unknown, Ministry127)
“Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.”—Proverbs 20:5
2. The Right Kind of Water
When sheep get thirsty they get restless and begin looking for water to drink. If the Shepherd is not careful, they will drink out of any source they come across, and that opens them up to the possibility of all sorts of diseases and parasites.
So, not only do we need “water” spiritually, but we also need the right kind of water! I, as the under shepherd of this church, make continual efforts to point the GRACE family to the right source to quench our thirst.
Where is our thirst being quenched? We can find ourselves quenching our thirst on things other than the pure source God intended for us. Consider these 4 distractions from pure water:
1. Money.
Whether it is a job, investments, savings accounts, a bonus, or an inheritance – money is needed to function in society, but it will not fully satisfy my thirst…no matter how much I obtain. Eccl. 5:10
2. Substances.
Addiction to illegal or prescription drugs, cigarettes, drunkenness, popularity, immorality, and food – these are often embraced when one is thirsty. The issue with drinking from the fountain of substances is that they not only leave you wanting more – but they also cause greater dependance on them to quench your thirst … instead of greater dependance on the pure water of the Word. II Cor. 1:3-4; Heb. 4:12
3. Relationships.
Relationships ought to be blessings from God. Relationships ought to be reflecting the person of Jesus with greater clarity. However, when we replace the priority of Jesus with earthly relationships, we will find greater struggle over time. So, instead of drinking at the peaceful stream of the pure Word, we will eventually find ourselves drinking at the uncertain waterfalls in an unpredictable jungle. II Cor. 1:3-4; Heb. 4:12
PLEASE NOTE: Replacing “the priority of Jesus with earthly relationships” does not show the fruit of struggle quickly. It is a slower, methodical, downward pathway that reveals itself all too suddenly – leaving you wondering how you got here.
4. Pride.
This distraction is harder to see at first. We think we are standing up for our rights…and that we deserve to do so. We think we have logically reasoned that God’s way of embracing the local church and His commands (i.e.- love God, love one another, give God 1st priority, be part of a local church, and do not lie – to name a few) is not for me…and that this is okay Biblically. Or, other believers have offended me, so that gives me the right to run from God’s way. Does it make sense to run from the unlimited God because a limited, sinful human being failed me? Prov. 16:18-19
The story is told of an old man who was wandering in the desert looking for water. He approached an old shack and on the porch area he found a water pump. Next to the water pump he saw a one-gallon jug. A note on the jug said, “Use all the water to prime the pump.” The man’s instincts said to drink the water and not trust the pump. Nevertheless, he poured the water into the pump and began pumping until an abundance of cool water came to the top. (Source: Unknown, Ministry127.org)
The Bible is like the note on that water jug. Sometimes the instructions contained in the Bible do not make sense to us, but it is always right.
Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for the shall be filled (satisfied).”
When David wrote “He leadeth me beside the still waters” he was saying – He alone knows where the still, quiet, clean, pure water is to be found that alone can satisfy His sheep and keep them fit and strong.
3. The Resting Place of Water
Sheep will get their water from: deep wells, springs or streams, and the dew on the grass. Heavy dew on the grass will sustain sheep each day (unless it is usually hot weather). They will rise early in the morning (by habit) to feed on the grass with its heavy dew.
There is more than mere coincidence in this understanding for us as children of God in this picture. Those who are confident in the Lord and able to cope with life’s complexities are those who rise early each day to feed on God’s Word.
Drink at the well that never runs dry…quench your thirst with the pure water of the HS & His Word!