IN SUMMER AND IN WINTER

On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem . . . in summer and in winter. (Zechariah 14:8)

Oh, what a word of encouragement we have today! Though the seasons change and effect the world we live in, the living waters of our Lord’s love continually flow. The burning heat of the summer cannot dry up His love for us and the frigid cold of the winter cannot cause it to freeze over. Because our God changes not, His love unceasingly flows to us like streams of living water, regardless of the season we find ourselves in.

I don’t know where this message finds you today, but I do know this: Regardless of whether you are in a season of summer, with the oppressive heat of holy trials surrounding you, or in a season of winter, with the frigid winds of challenge blowing over you, God is ready, willing, and able to meet you in your place of deepest need with a flow of living waters that cannot run out. They cannot run out because God’s love for us never ceases.

Knowing this truth keeps us from wandering off and wading in other streams—polluted streams. The world promises us that if we would but sip from its springs, life will be wonderful . . . but these are empty promises that the world simply cannot keep. Those springs have been spoiled by sin. The world can never give us what only God can give. Only God can give us purpose in life. Only God can our lives meaning and significance. God created us in such a way that the things that matter most in this life will only be found in Him. When we drink from the waters of this world, we are left thirsting for what matters most because the waters of this world cannot slake our thirst.

You’ll recall our Lord’s words to the woman at the well:

Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. (John 4:13-14) 

The answer to your thirst in any area of life is to sip from the streams of your Savior. They flow to you continually and freely from the Fountain of Life. But remember, you must drink from those streams yourself, because God will not drink for you. An unlimited supply of living water will not serve you if you do not take the time to drink from it.

My prayer is that you will remember these words from our Lord and be encouraged to drink your fill today and every day that God gives you. Remember and accept His gracious invitation:

“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” (John 7:37)

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!