As earth’s population increases, the need for pure water for man’s consumption becomes greater and greater. No one now thinks of drinking untreated water from lakes and rivers, and even underground water is often found to be contaminated. Consequently many are resorting for safety to buying purified water to drink. If clean, wholesome water is a necessity for physical thirst, how needful also it is that the thirst of the soul be quenched with pure spiritual water! This theme can be found throughout the Bible with a glorious climax in the Book of Revelation where the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is heard saying, “It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” (21:6). This water of life, “proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb” in heaven, is also called a “pure river” (22:1), signifying its divine origin and inexhaustible supply. Let us consider this water of life, comparing its qualities with the words spoken of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Giver of it, in Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”
The prophet Isaiah wrote during the “yesterday” of the eternal Son of God, foretelling His life and ministry on earth, inviting thirsty men and women to come to Him: “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.” (Isa. 55:1,3). Intense thirst so fills a man’s mind that he can think of nothing else, and he would give all the money he had for a cup of water; so thirst in the soul causes a man to think lightly of the wealth of this world if only he can be included in the everlasting mercy promised through the Greater David, Jesus Christ. This mercy is free to the thirsty who are told to come to the Lord with no money in their hands.
The New Testament gospels tell of the Saviour’s “to day” when “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (Jn. 1:14). Among His gracious words were those spoken to the woman at the well in Samaria, “Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (Jn. 4:13,14). Here Jesus promises not only to satisfy the soul’s thirst from without, but to put the very fountain of life-giving water within. Later He explained His meaning when He cried to all who were in the temple at Jerusalem, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive” (Jn. 7:37-39). The ministry of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life so meets his soul’s needs that he himself becomes a messenger of God’s grace to those about him.
In the new heaven and the new earth described in Revelation 21:4 is included the “for ever” aspect of the Lord’s salvation of His people: “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Heartbreak, betrayal, bereavement, sickness, suffering, and loss follow a Christian through his earthly pilgrimage, and threaten to rob his soul of the “everlasting consolation and good hope through grace” which he has through faith in the promises of scripture (II Thess. 2:16). In such times he may feel incapable of thinking one right thought, but God’s promise remains: “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” (Mal. 3:6).
Dear reader, the Fountain of Living Water is offered to all who are athirst for God’s mercy and grace, for His forgiveness and salvation, for His heaven and His glory. Look to Jesus’ blood and righteousness to cover your past sins, to cleanse your present errors, and to comfort you in eternity.