Daily Devotions
Today’s Reading: John 7:1-39 & Psalm 107:1-9
“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.” John 7:37-38
Near our home on Lake Taneycomo is a small pond—until about mid-July. Then it dries up and disappears. You see, the stream that feeds it shrinks to a trickle in the summer months; and as the stream dries up, so does the pond. But the streams of living water Jesus talked about? The Holy Spirit creates a life in us, and that life is a stream—a river—that never runs dry!
Thirst—an experience common to us all. Thirst—a need that must be satisfied, for thirst not satisfied can quickly bring on death. And so it is with God’s grace, His love—the need for it is common to us all. Without it, we’re forever lost, spiritually dead in unforgiven sin.
Though you and I may be honest enough to admit we are sinners, that’s not enough. Even unbelievers can and do confess, “Well, nobody’s perfect. We all make mistakes.” True confession must be followed by Absolution. And Absolution—the forgiveness of sins confessed—is effective and valid only if pronounced in the name of Jesus Christ: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
Where is the gracious and Grace-giving river that never runs dry? In His Word and in His Sacraments. Thus the Holy Spirit and all the gifts He brings to us and all believers—chief of which is the gift of saving faith, followed by the strengthening and exercising of that faith—come to us through Word and Sacrament.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, refresh us and renew us through Your Spirit so we may gladly and faithfully receive You, the Living Water, forever and ever. Amen.
Response
Where are You? May it please God you can answer, “In the Word and at the Sacraments.”