'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. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit' (John 7:37-39).  Yesterday marked 100 years since the start of the First World War - remembering our past is important, if for no other reason that we learn its lessons.  Every year the Jews celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles, remembering how God guided, protected and provided for them through the Wilderness.  On the last day of the feast they would go up to the temple, the place where the presence of God dwelt among His people (like He did in the pillar of cloud and fire, and in the tabernacle tent), and pour out water.  It seems that at this moment, Jesus stood up and spoke to the assembled crowds of the entire nation.  Jesus claims at all of our desires will find their fulfillment in Him.  He claims that He will fill us - not a hand-full, or a cup-full that will need replenishing but a river-full.  Imagine a river - it is always flowing, never-ceasing.  Furthermore, in the OT prophets this river of living water always spoke of God bringing healing and restoration to His people and His world in the new age of the kingdom.  Jesus is saying that with His arrival and when His Spirit arrives, that new age has begun to be present within those who trust in Him. The source of wholeness, fullness and completeness is in our communion with God Himself - this is why drawing nearer and closer to Him can only be good for us!  This is why we should seek to drink deeply from the fountain of Jesus and His Word.

Praise God Today: "There is a Fountain"