In John chapter 4, we see Jesus stop at the well and talk to the Samaritan woman.
She talks about the water from Jacob’s well as if it is special in some way, because Jacob himself drank from it. We might be tempted to pass judgement on her for thinking that some earthly thing had the ability to sustain us, but we all do this at times-- consciously or unconsciously.
As I write this, we are in the midst of the Covid-19 “quarantine”. We all have fears and concerns about this virus, as well as the effects that it may have on our “normal” way of life. We don’t know how long this will go on. We don’t know the outcome. During this time, we may be tempted to ease our fears in various ways. Some of us may watch the news incessantly. Some of us may spend our time scrolling through social media platforms. Some of us may be assuaging our fears with food. I know I’ve been guilty of saying things like, “It’s been a rough day. I need a cookie.” This can seem innocuous, and I’m not saying it’s wrong to have a cookie on a hard day, but I should be asking myself if I am looking to the cookie to sustain me when, in fact, I should be looking to Jesus.
What is it for you? What are the things that you are tempted to rely on to calm your fears or fulfill your needs?
Psalm 46:1-3 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” Verses 10-11 say, “‘Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!’ The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
God is our refuge and strength. Social media is not, information is not, cookies are not. God alone sustains us. “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”-- what a wonderful promise to cling to!
Today, spend time in prayer, asking God what earthly things you tend to go to for spiritual sustenance. Then ask Him to help you to go to Him instead, because He is the Living Water-- He alone can satisfy our needs and calm our fears.
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