[The LORD said,] “For I will pour out water to quench your thirst and to irrigate your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your children.” — Isaiah 44:3 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus spoke of his being the water of life, a spring of water welling up to true life. He identified this living water with the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39). The New Testament also uses the imagery of water to talk about the Holy Spirit being poured out on us (Titus 3:3-7), having our sins washed away in the water of baptism, and being cleansed by the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Living in a place that is often quite dry, the imagery of water to quench my thirst and irrigate parched ground means so much. But the imagery does not come close to the experience of God’s Spirit coming to us to comfort, strengthen, gift, empower, convict, guide, and sustain us. When our souls are parched and our spirits are dry, nothing — absolutely nothing — can relieve the dry brittleness within us except the Holy Spirit of God. Let’s not forget the promise of Jesus: Let’s ask for God to send the Spirit to quench our spiritual thirst and irrigate the dry ground of our spirits.

Today’s Prayer

Father, I thank you so much for the promise Jesus made, reminding me that you would send your Holy Spirit if I ask. So I’m asking. I’m not asking for something outwardly spectacular, but I am asking that you make the Spirit’s presence real — slake my thirst and refresh my soul by the power of your Spirit at work in me. I ask this in the name of Jesus, and to your glory. Amen.