DRINKING AND OVERFLOWING
Jack Davis
“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.)” Jn. 7:37-39
Jesus had said earlier “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled.” This was speaking of the need for divine moisture and nourishment for spiritual growth. An appetite was called for to create a craving or desire for that which only He could satisfy. The thirst that Jesus speaks of here, indicates a deep awareness of need of spiritual satisfaction. He gives an ardent desire or craving, that only He can satisfy.
The Word of God makes it clear, that once we have begun to partake of God’s Great Salvation, and to drink in of His Holy Spirit; that those cravings are to continue to grow, expand deepen and be beneficially utilized, and ever increasing in service to God and blessing to mankind. Those that thirst are to come and drink. This describes faith in action. Let us ever be partaking of the fountain of life (the living waters) and even the bread of life.
These are to be done “as the scripture hath said,” by faith as His promises, as they are to be fulfilled unto believing humanity. I have often enjoyed the wonderful Old Testament encouragement, such as “I will pour water on him that is thirsty, I will pour floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring.” Isa. 44:3-4. See also Psa. 42:2; 63:1; 143:6 & Isa. 55:1. These and many others give us a consensus as to what God is willing to do for humanity’s thirst for him. When Jesus spoke these words He was not yet glorified. But thank God we now today serve and worship a risen and glorified Lord and Savior. He has sent beck to earth, the Holy Spirit when he was glorified in heaven. He wonderfully sends into our heart and lives the Holy Spirit for those that would overflow in glorifying him. It is hard to understand how many of God’s people just seem unable to allow, an outflow unto God even though they seem to know that they are exceedingly blessed, He is so worthy of all our thanksgiving.
With the Holy Spirit flooding our beings, we realize a real reviving refreshing renewing flood upon dry ground. Floods that go beyond, far beyond, the initial infilling. These stir us to require more and more of all that He has called us for. For these floods He would have us keep on thirsting, coming, drinking, believing and flowing out to his glory.
“Out of his belly shall flow.” Our Father intends to receive multiplied returns on His great investment. He gave His Son to bring many sons unto glory. That which He has caused to flow into us He will draw out of believing yielding vessels. For the drinks He has been giving are to return unto Him rivers. Shall it be at least a cup full to give another drink? How about one big single bucket? One tank? Several tanks of thanks overflowing. Here we read of spiritual channels. We are blessed to be a blessing. Being blessed in our innermost being Jesus is to be glorified unto the uttermost. From our heart, mouth mind and soul. Continuing in our praises, our living. God’s rivers are to be full of channels, channels of blessings to others.
There are good scriptural indications that our lives and hearts are to flow out unto him in thanksgivings, under the influence of the blessed Holy Spirit.
Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine wherein is excess but be ye filled (filling) with the Spirit; Speaking to your selves in Psalms, and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody in your heart to the Lord. Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Eph. 5:17-20. “Rejoice evermore, Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit.” I Thess. 5:16-19. Oh, what rivers, what channels of blessing doing God’s will, supernaturally enabled. See the flow of the Spirit in igniting our rejoicing and praise? Indicting our prayers – Rom. 8:26-27. And even exciting us unto thanksgiving. Is it any wonder we are urged, “Quench not the Spirit.” He inspires the victorious attitude and flow of scriptural action. “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks unto God and the Father by Him.” Col. 3:17.
In Revelation we hear the sound of many waters as examples of that wherein we speak. “And the Spirit and the bride say Come. And let him that heareth say Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely.” Rev. 22:17. Oh, can you hear the rivers run? The bride speaking by the unction of the Holy Spirit! The Spirit speaking through her; the overflowing will of God. She will have been listening, drinking in by faith the overflowing sweet will of God, in glorifying Him. As we are filled in our capacity for Him, He will fill our whole being to use us to flow like rivers of living waters. “And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying Alleluia: for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.” Read and rejoice in Rev. 11:15-17. It’s coming to pass shortly.
