On the last and most important day of the festival Jesus stood up and said in a loud voice, "Whoever is thirsty should come to me and drink. As the scripture says, 'Whoever believes in me, streams of life-giving water will pour out from his heart.'"

Jesus said this about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were going to receive. At that time the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not been raised to glory.

John 7:37-39

Jesus invited thirsty people to come to Him and drink. First and foremost, He was speaking to people who needed to put their faith in Him, allowing His Spirit to fill them with the joy of salvation.

In another sense, when you live for Christ and serve Him, you will recognize the continual need for His Spirit to fill you so He can work in and through you. Perhaps you are experiencing a heart-wringing trial and you feel dry and thirsty today.

A thirst for God can only be satisfied by Christ,

the living water.

Our Daily Bread - July 14, 2002