The Language of Thanksgiving: Day 8

“He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:17b 

Living water is such a powerful image. Movement in currents and waves and the sounds of bubbling brooks and rushing streams have always captivated my heart, because this is how Jesus describes the Holy Spirit living within us. Water rushes at times, and then sometimes stands still as glass. It possesses the ability to be both power and tranquility. It gently washes but it can also etch deep into stone.

 I have so many friends right now who are walking through storms. I try to comfort them with words of understanding, words of “I know it hurts. I know what it’s like to be alone.” But we don’t know, really, how others hurt. We can only measure it by the depth of how we have been hurt in the past, how we have worried and felt alone. We all, it seems, carry huge burdens. We walk through hard seasons and we wonder if the season will ever change. 

My heart wonders this morning if it is possible that our hard seasons are only meant for the Spirit to etch into our hearts. For the Spirit to come rushing powerfully hard against the forces of evil so that our hearts will understand when the season finally switches and the Spirit remains still as glass. The fact that our hearts keep beating despite the rushing force is proof that what Jesus gives us is meant to bring us life, that what He brings us through is meant to keep us alive. 

“Whoever believes in me, as the scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within Him. By this He meant the Spirit.” John 7:38-39

We cry tears of water both from joy and from pain. I have to believe that the Spirit is in both. So today, whether you’re walking on the water or sinking beneath it, know that God is in it. Know that your language in the Spirit can be that of one who has been redeemed, can be that of one who has no fear because God walks ever before you. 

May your language today be that of confidence in the Living Water of God, may it be strengthened by the currents and washed clean by the brooks. May it speak with power of the Lord Jesus who fights for you, and may it never give up hope.