WATER FOR THE THIRSTY
Written by one of our missionary partners in India.
On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
John 7:37-38 (NIV)
When I first arrived in the villages where God called me to serve, the earth itself told the story—dry, cracked soil and people accustomed to walking miles for muddy water. Each summer, the wells failed, children grew sick, and survival meant endurance. An elderly woman once told me she could live without food at times, but never without water. Her words stayed with me like an echo in prayer. That night, reading Jesus’ invitation, If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me, I realized He was speaking of more than physical need. The Lord began to burden my heart both for the dry ground and the dry hearts of this village.
We prayed for months for God to provide clean water. When the first bore well burst forth, people shouted, laughed, and cried. One woman knelt, lifted the cool water, and said, This is life! I whispered, Yes… and there is another water that never runs dry. That day, under a neem tree, we shared about the Living Water—Jesus—and many believed.
Since that first well, the Lord has helped us dig many more in nearby villages. Each provides clean water and a place for the Gospel. Every pump handle feels like God’s heartbeat. Men who once worshiped idols now worship the living God, and women come with pots and leave with peace. God’s miracles often begin with simple obedience, meeting earthly needs while revealing heavenly truth—physical water satisfies for a moment, but Living Water transforms eternity.
APPLICATION: People everywhere are thirsty—for hope, love, peace or meaning. God may use you to quench that thirst with food, water or prayer. But point them to Jesus, the true source. Ask Him to make you a well of Living Water, flowing through kindness, generosity and bold Gospel sharing.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank You for being the Living Water that satisfies my soul. Help me remember those still far from You. Use my life to refresh the weary, give hope to the hopeless, and let Your Spirit flow through me like a river, turning dry places into streams of life that glorify Your name. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?