Lord's Day Devotion - Rivers of Living Water (John 7:27-29 ESV/KJV)

 "Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'"  John 7:38 ESV.

Belief in Jesus is equated with having a river of living water flowing from ones heart.  Or as the KJV puts it, the headwaters is "out of his belly."  Either way, it is a good thing.  'Flowing' indicates  an abundant supply - there's no drought.  'Living water' would portray no stagnation and therefore a healthy environment where there would be healthy living.

Focusing on 'rivers of living water' and comparing it with the expression of Psalm 1:3, which mentions a tree being firmly planted beside,

"streams of water,"

where that tree can flourish, one can note, in a well-balanced habitat.

I'm no scientist or conservationist but as a layman I can know and understand the pleasantness of such an environment.  The birds and the bees, the fish and the trees, and more, will thrive in such eco-systems.

So too, the person who believes in Jesus.  Ones heart, a person's inner core representing their thoughts and feelings will be a thriving hive, so to speak.  This is a believer's inner sanctum where the Holy Spirit indwells.  This river of living water flows from Him (see John 7:39).  Think of it like the mighty roaring flow of Niagara Falls.  It just keeps flowing and flowing.

At the time Jesus had spoken those words, Holy Spirit had not yet come.  But we know that after Jesus' ascension, He did send Holy Spirit on that electric day of Penteccost.

Because of this, this river can flow as streams of living water.  When we guard our hearts and minds and come to Jesus, we too will be a well-balanced eco-system that can be shared with others around us (see Proverbs 4:23).  The hope and prayer being that those with 'thirsty souls' will come to Jesus and drink, quenching their thirst.

Due to Jesus' death and resurrection and ascension, those of us who have believed in Jesus and accepted Him as Savior, now have His Holy Spirit indwelling us.  This in turn allows these rivers of living water to flow within us.  This keeps us spiritually healthy and enjoying the Lord with his spiritual benefits blessing and refresing us.  

For all of this, let's remember Jesus this Lord's Day, giving Him our praise and thanksgiving for His streams of living water.  Pass the broken bread and partake.  Reach for the cup of wine, sipping in remembrance of all He has done for us.

Lord Jesus, thank You for letting us come to You to drink the living water that only You can supply.  Because we have believed in You, You have given us streams and rivers of living water flowing from our hearts.  We give You our heartfelt thanks.  Amen.

                                               ~ ERC  October 2025 ~

Based on John 7:37-39 ESV/KJV.

Sing, Let Anyone Who is Thirsty, along with Don Moen.