RIVERS OF LIVING WATER
In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified) (John 7:37-39).
You’d have to carefully review the words of the Lord Jesus that we just read so you can understand them clearly. In the 38th verse, He said, “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said….” If you delete the comma after “me,” it’ll read, “He that believeth on me as the scripture hath said;” now, that’s the correct rendering.
The translators inserted the comma in their attempt to explain what they thought the Master said, but when you study the original text, it’s very clear; it’s without the comma. So, when you read it, as presented in the KJV, you might think it’s a scripture quotation. But what the Lord Jesus was saying is, if you believe in Him as the Scripture says, rivers of living water will issue forth from within you—from out of your belly.
What are “rivers of living water”? They are words empowered by the Holy Spirit, Spirit-inspired words that give life just as the Lord Jesus said, “…the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). Now, recall that the 39th verse of our theme scripture connects the rivers of living water to the Holy Spirit: “But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive….”
Thus, the Holy Spirit pours forth from you through faith-filled words. Your words are life-giving, ministering the power of the Spirit everywhere and to everyone; they bring refreshing, healing, and restoration to your hearers. Blessed be God!
Prayer / Confession
Dear Father, thank you for the rivers of living water that flow from within me. My words are spirit and life, bringing refreshing, healing, and restoration to my hearers. I function by the law of the Spirit of life; I’m a life-giver. I impact my world with your glory, righteousness, and grace, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
If you’re blessed by this devotional, believing every word you heard by faith in your heart, and would love to make Jesus the lord of your life, then speak the confessions below out loud, and mean them with your heart:
“O Lord God, I believe with all my heart in Jesus Christ, Son of the living God. I believe He died for me and God raised Him from the dead. I believe He’s alive today. I confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is the Lord of my life from this day. Through Him and in His Name, I have eternal life; I’m born again. Thank you Lord, for saving my soul! I’m now a child of God. Hallelujah!”
If you just prayed the prayer of salvation, we have a gift for you. First, kindly click this link so we can connect with you and help you grow in Christ.
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Message by Rev. Chris Oyakhilome Dsc. Dsc. DD.
Further study
Proverbs 18:4; John 6:63 NIV; John 7:37-38 NIV
1-year bible reading plan
Luke 19:1-27; 1 Samuel 14-15
2-year bible reading plan
Romans 14:1-11; Psalm 123-124
