Scripture reading: Psalm 63

Are You Thirsty?

Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters. (Isaiah 55:1)

 

Thirst makes us uncomfortable. In its advanced stages it becomes obsessive, dominating all our thoughts. Without water, we simply cannot live. God has equipped us with a mechanism that causes us to move toward what we so desperately need. Though it can make us miserable, thirst is not a “bad” thing. It drives us to do what is good for us: drink.

The Bible often speaks of our need for God in terms of thirst. Unless we drink from the living water that Jesus offers, we will die in our sins. The discomfort of thirst is the thing that motivates us to do what is good for us. So the question needs to be asked: are you thirsty? The very act of asking the question makes us suddenly aware of that gnawing ache deep in our souls for something that only God can satisfy. Just as thinking about water can make you thirsty, thinking about God can make you aware of unmet desires deep in your soul.

In C. S. Lewis’ book The Silver Chair, a girl named Jill finds herself dying of thirst. She sees a delightful, bubbling stream nearby, but a huge lion lies beside it, blocking her path. The lion is Aslan, the king of Narnia, a figure of Christ. Because Jill has not yet met Aslan, she does not know his true character. Thinking only of his teeth and claws, she freezes in terror.

“Are you not thirsty?” said the Lion. “I’m dying of thirst,” said Jill. “Then drink,” said the Lion. “May I—could I—would you mind going away while I do?” said Jill.

The Lion answered this only by a look and a very low growl. And as Jill gazed at its motionless bulk, she realized that she might as well have asked the whole mountain to move aside for her convenience. The delicious rippling noise of the stream was driving her nearly frantic. “Will you promise not to do anything to me, if I do come?” said Jill. “I make no promise,” said the Lion.

Jill was so thirsty now that, without noticing it, she had come a step nearer. “Do you eat girls?” she said. “I have swallowed up girls and boys, women and men, kings and emperors, cities and realms,” said the Lion. It didn’t say this as if it were boasting, nor as if it were sorry, nor as if it were angry. It just said it.

“I dare not come and drink,” said Jill. “Then you will die of thirst,” said the Lion.

“Oh dear!” said Jill, coming another step nearer. “I suppose I must go and look for another stream then.” “There is no other stream,” said the Lion.

What about you? Are you thirsty today? Have you been drinking from fountains that do not quench the ache in your soul? Is the fear of the Lord keeping you from coming to the only source of water than can fill the cavernous emptiness inside and quench the ravenous thirst? If this describes your situation, then Christ Jesus himself has a message just for you: 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).

 

If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable

explanation is that I was made for another world. —C. S. Lewis

 

point to ponder • Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteous- ness for they shall be satisfied. (Matthew 5:6)

prayer focus • For the ability to discern what is Living Water.