ARE YOU THIRSTY?

And from there they continued to Beer; that is the well of which the Lord said to Moses, “Gather the people together, so that I may give them water.” Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, O well!—Sing to it!— (‭Numbers‬ ‭21‬:‭16-17‬ ESV)

Have you ever experience thirst - real thirst?  There are times, especially after preaching, where I could drink a whole bottle of water without hardly taking a breath.  My system longs for this resource to quench my thirst.

Living in the desert we also understand what it means to be parched and thirsty.  We get so little rain that our topography is often brown and brittle.  If we want to see green we have to go "down the hill."  If we don't water our lawns they will dry out and become an eyesore.  

In the same manner - our spiritual lives often reflect that same dried out experience.  Our prayer life is dead or next to nothing.  And, we don't spend time in the word which furthers our drought spiritually.

The Children Of Israel we're in a drought experience.  They were wandering in the wilderness and they were headed to "Beer" (Be-er) which name meant "fountains."

Previously, they asked God for water with a grumbling and discontented heart and God punished them by releasing "fiery" snakes into their lives.  They cried out in repentance and God provided a means for them to be healed - a fiery serpent wrapped upon a bronze pole - that, if anyone looked at the snake on the pole - they would be healed. (A symbol of the cross of Christ).

Now, (in God's mercy) God gathers them in order to give them water.  The people then began to sing in thanksgiving for God's mercy and provision.

As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. (‭Psalm‬ ‭84‬:‭6‬ ESV)

The Valley of Baca was a dry wilderness place.  In Hosea, it is referred to as The Valley of Anchor or "The Valley of Weeping."  

What was once a place of failure, a place of sorrow and weeping and place of barrenness now becomes a place of overflow, of blessing and prosperity.  God sent the rains and filled up its pools.

Look at God's promises to those who are thirsty...

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭12‬:‭3‬ ESV)

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 ESV)

When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭41‬:‭17-18‬ ESV)

Perhaps you are parched and spiritually dry right now.  Perhaps you have not enjoyed to springs of living water from God on high.  Like Israel, as you come to Him in humility and thanksgiving - GOD WILL POUR OUT INTO YOUR LIFE and will quench your thirst.  God will not forsake you.  He is waiting for you to give you the waters of life freely and abundantly.  I pray that blessing over your life right now.