July Devotional

The Living Water
Bible Reading: John 4:1-30

I had the great honor to travel the boundary waters of the United States early this summer with my three teenage boys. This area is known for its remote canoe and trekking opportunities. The many beauties of our LORD’s creation became evident early. It did not take long, however, to come across our first portage opportunity. For those not accustomed to the terminology, portage is the practice of moving water vessels and cargo across land from one body of water to another. Ok, now you have the formal definition, let me clue you in — it is nothing but hard work. Our packs weighed over 100 pounds, and we had several of them. Add in two 18 foot canoes for good measure, and start to measure in your mind about how far a half mile is...you are starting to get the picture. After navigating carefully all the foot falls, as well as the long arduous trails while laden with our gear, there was little that one wanted more than a cool drink of water. You could have offered me $1000, and I would have turned you down. My body longed for a cool drink of water. On the long trip home, we all smiled about the challenges that were overcome, and we would not have traded one moment of time, despite the extreme effort. For what seemed like a detour only brought us safely past some of the world’s most beautiful waterfalls and whitewater. It gave us opportunity to bond our souls together, with reliance on the LORD for safety and strength. Truly an unforgettable moment, that will live with me until the LORD calls me home.

We read in John chapter 4 that Jesus took a portage of sorts. Probably more like a detour, with the disciples in tow. John 4:4 states that, “He must needs go through Samaria.” I am sure the disciples were not thrilled with this little side trip. I can hear it now...All the complaining and rationalizing, as to why Jews did not take the short cut through Samaria. Why, what would everyone think???? We read in vs 7-18 the express purpose of the detour. Jesus knew of one soul that needed living water. This soul, by all “spiritual” standards back then (and today for that matter), was not worth giving the time of day. In fact in vs 27, Jesus very own disciples, wondered as to why the Lord would even speak to a woman of such social background, and “reputation.” Jesus knew completely of her multiple sins of adultery. Now the Lord did not skirt around these sins. In vs. 17-18, He revealed to the woman His full knowledge of her excessive lifestyle and sin against God. Christ did not just call out against the darkness and evil, and then leave. He was there to offer a cool, refreshing, life giving “drink” of water to this woman’s scorched, parched, and utterly lifeless soul.

What about you and me? Take a look at John 4:35...The field is white unto harvest. We often do not reap souls for the LORD. What is your excuse? None of mine held water when exposed to the truth of God’s Word.

• Wrapped up in life’s rat race, and can see only MY needs
• God can’t expect me to witness to “those” people
• What would my friends think
• What if they reject my word of witness
• This could be Dangerous
• Go ahead make up your own

Oh Lord and Father, Give me a burden for the lost, Give me a vision for the estate of their soul, Give me wisdom from Your Word, Give me strength from above. Flood me with Your Grace and Mercy, and may the Holy Spirit stir the depths of all souls I strive to win for you. In the Precious Blood of Jesus our Lord — Amen

Steven Brown
Board Member of the Alpha Women’s Center, Milwaukee
Lay Leader/ Deacon Union Grove Baptist Church, Union Grove