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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.’” John 7:37–38
D.L. MOODY
When a boy upon a farm in New England, we had a well, and I used to have to pump the water from that well on wash-day, and to water the cattle; and many a time I had to pump until my arm got tired. But they have a better way now. They dig down until they strike what they call a lower stream, and then it becomes an artesian well, which needs no labor as the water rises spontaneously from the depths beneath.
I think God wants each of His children to be a sort of artesian well; not to keep pumping, but to flow right out. Why, haven’t you seen ministers in the pulpit just pumping, pumping, pumping? I have, many a time, and I have had to do it, too. I know how it is. They stand in the pulpit and talk and talk and talk, and the people go to sleep, they can’t arouse them. What is the trouble? Why, the living water is not there; they are just pumping when there is no water in the well.
ERWIN LUTZER
When Jesus promised that those who believed in Him would find within themselves “rivers of living water,” He was referring to the blessed Holy Spirit. John adds that the Holy Spirit had not yet been given “because Jesus was not yet glorified” (John 7:37–39).
But now, all believers are indwelt by the Spirit, though many don’t know the Spirit’s power. How do you experience the filling of the Spirit? Think of it this way: How did you become a Christian? You put faith in the crucified Christ. How do we become filled with the Holy Spirit? You put faith in the ascended Christ!
Make sure that the Spirit is not just resident, but president.
PRAYER
Father, thank you for Jesus’ ascension, pouring forth the gift of the Holy Spirit so I can walk in His power today.REFLECTION QUESTIONS
What is the practical difference in your daily life between the Holy Spirit being a mere "resident" in your heart versus being the "president"?How does the reality that the Holy Spirit is a person—not just a vague "force"—change the way you seek His power when you feel spiritually dry?