Spring of Renewal: A devotional

We're not supposed to navigate life's trials, obstacles, and hardships alone. Jesus, the source of our strength, invites anyone who thirsts to come to him and drink. In John 7: 37-38 ESV, he promises that if we come to him, out of the heart will "flow rivers of living water." Jesus promises to give us what we need when we need it if we come to him.

Uncertainty. No one likes it.

Our human obsession for control often outweighs our ability to listen to the voice of God. Be honest. How are you doing with the unknown right now? Is it possible to grow in your faith when you don’t know what’s coming next? What’s one thing you can start doing today to trust God in the unknown?

Life is unpredictable. But we can have confidence that despite constant change, one thing will always stay the same. Jesus.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV).

This means he will always be who he says he is: all-loving, all-knowing, all-good, all-powerful, in total control. He will always keep his promises to never leave or forget us, to protect and provide, and to never stop loving us.

An invitation

Jesus invites us to surrender our desire for control and dependence on earthly things for a relationship with him that trusts he will provide for all our needs—no matter what life throws our way.

John 7:37-38 ESV provides us with Jesus's own words:

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.’”

Jesus is the only water that truly satisfies any thirst. The spring of “living water” is eternal, but our thirst isn’t satiated in one drink. We need to return to the living water over and over again. Returning to him isn’t a sign of failure; it is a sign of faith and obedience.

Resistance is coming

We know trials, obstacles, hardships, and even resistance to our mission is coming. These things are non-negotiable—they’re part of the work we’re each called to. We shouldn’t be surprised by them, nor should we be derailed. Jesus foreknew the trials that were coming, and he has promised to give us what we need in them if we come to him.

We have a terrific example of this in the disciple Peter, who we see Jesus restoring and commissioning for the work he was called to. Later in his life, Peter shares some of his insights with us in 2 Peter 1:3-9 NIV:

"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins."

The phrase “make every effort” feels like a nugget of wisdom that Peter is passing along, spoken from a place that understands the importance of returning to the spring of living water. What an opportunity to be renewed over and over again! Our faith in Christ doesn’t depend on our being perfect and thinking we must walk through life alone. We pursue God. A daily adventure and a constant moving forward in our faith, together.

Prayer

Father, thank you that we can come to you and be renewed. You created me to be in relationship with you. In seasons of joy and in seasons of sorrow. When things are calm and when things are chaotic. Remind me that when life’s uncertainties come, you promise to give me all I need if I call and depend on you. Help me remember that you, Jesus, are my living water, the spring that never goes dry, my only source of strength. Amen.