John 7:37 ¶ On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.
It seems that many people I talk to have a new sense of expectancy as we get ready for 2017. Expectancy starts with a spiritual hunger or thirst. It seems the Lord awakens our thirst for Him and His kingdom when He is preparing to do a new thing in the earth. You can only take so much apathy or spiritual lethargy until you have just had enough. I think we may be in one of those seasons right now.
So, let me ask you the question, are you experiencing a new spiritual thirst in your life? Do you feel an excitement about changes on the horizon and want to be a part of all of it? If you answered yes to those questions it is a good indication that the Lord is calling you into a whole new spiritual season in your life. After all, this living water is for anyone. Here are some powerful words from Charles Spurgeon as he talked about ending one year and beginning another.
“No waiting or preparation is so much as hinted at. Drinking represents a reception for which no fitness is required. A fool, a thief, a harlot can drink; and so sinfulness of character is no bar to the invitation to believe in Jesus. We want no golden cup, no bejewelled chalice, in which to convey the water to the thirsty; the mouth of poverty is welcome to stoop down and quaff the flowing flood. Blistered, leprous, filthy lips may touch the stream of divine love; they cannot pollute it, but shall themselves be purified. Jesus is the fount of hope. Dear reader, hear the dear Redeemer’s loving voice as he cries to each of us,
IF ANY MAN THIRST,
LET HIM
COME UNTO ME
AND DRINK.”
I love the brutal honesty of Spurgeon, ‘a fool, a thief, or a harlot’ can drink this living water. Obviously our thirst results in drinking, drinking, results in renewal, and renewal ends up in ministry. There is a big world out there that has no idea what is available to them in our Christian faith. They think we are bigots, hypocrites, and pharisees; they have no idea we are really fools thieves and harlots that have been changed by God.