SCRIPTURE: 2 Kings 3
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
For this is what the LORD says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink. [2 Kings 3:17]
Water in the wilderness; this brings back memories of Israel’s journey through the wilderness to Egypt.
God providing water for His stubborn, rebellious people.
Neither wind nor rain – in other words, this is an act of God.
And an act of mercy, not because Joram is a good king but for the king of Judah’s sake.
God is still committed to His kingdom mission, and His covenant arrangement with Israel.
Though He is not happy with how they are acting, He mercifully provides for them in the wilderness, as an attempt to draw them back to Himself.
On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. [John 7:37-39]
At the feast of tabernacles, the high priest would pour water at the base of the altar, symbolically representing the vision of Ezekiel 47:1-12, where water flows from the temple to bring life back to a dead nation.
Jesus (the ultimate king of Judah) announces that He is the source of this miracle water, through the Spirit.
For the sake of the King, the waters will flow, and we will be refreshed.
The Spirit of Jesus in me is the key to refreshing, renewal, healing, strength.
I need to daily come to Jesus and ‘drink’ (or renew myself) in Him.
Am I like Joram, resisting the Lord, yet blaming Him for my misery?
Or am I like Jehoshaphat, eager to seek the Lord, His word, His help?
I can be assured that if I seek Him, He will answer – even if I don’t deserve it, if I am in a wilderness of my own making.
In His mercy He will satisfy my soul thirst, because above all else, He still remains committed to His kingdom, and to me, His child.
For the sake of Jesus (like Jehoshaphat), He will answer me.
PRAYER:
Lord, I am thirsty, and this is a wilderness of my own making. Please fill me with Your soul-satisfying Spirit!
I am reminded of the song,
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit ’till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me.
But all to often, I do not start with the Lord. As I go about my busyness, the Lord’s presence comes as an after thought. I go my own way until . . . He shows me, reminds me of His presence. That presence I need every hour. That presence needs to be my kickstart of the day, fuel for the day and rest for my soul at night. I need to live for Him in all I do and not as an after thought. God continues to bail His people out. I need to put/place Him first. I must talk and walk daily with my God as a child delights in his father, so I must delight in my Father and cast all my cares on Him. He will guide me along the Way.
Thank You Lord, for You are an awesome God!
Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God