Living Water

Isaiah 41 follows up one of the most well-known passages of the Bible. Is. 40:31 "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; thy shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint." While we could spend a lot of time studying this verse, it's the next chapter that's not talked about as much. There's a certain imagery described in this chapter that is a beautiful picture of the gospel! Found in 41:17-20:

When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear  them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together; That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.

 For some NT application, I would like to turn to John 7:38-39 " 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.)" In this verse we see that the Christian is given a river of living water which spills out from them but only because the Holy Spirit lives in them. He is a life-giving source that flows from the Christian. (Note here- Jesus had not died and rose again yet at this point in the Scripture so the Holy Ghost had not come to live in any Christians at this point in Scripture)  Now let's look again at Isaiah 4.

Israel was to be this light to the Gentiles in OT times  because Jesus had not come yet to offer salvation. We as Christians are now part of this chosen race because we are adopted into His family since we have salvation available to us. The picture here is that the Lord is taking Israel through the wilderness of persecution surrounded by Gentiles steeped in sin and ignorance. The Lord himself produces water in the wilderness through his people, and the Gentiles are effected! Matthew Henry states in his commentary:

Our way to heaven lies through the wilderness of this world. The soul of man is in want, and seeks for satisfaction; but becomes weary of seeking that in the world, which is not to be had in it. Yet they shall have a constant supply, where one would least expect it. I will open rivers of grace, rivers of living water, which Christ spake of the Spirit, John 7:38,39. When God sets up his church in the Gentile wilderness, there shall be a great change, as if thorns and briers were turned into cedars, and fir-trees, and myrtles. These blessings are kept for the poor in spirit, who long for Divine enlightening, pardon, and holiness. And God will render their barren souls fruitful in the grace of his Spirit, that all who behold may consider it.

Gill states also in his commentary:

 ...Now by all these are figuratively meant converted persons in the Gentile world, in whom as great a change was wrought, as if, instead of briers and thorns, came up such trees as these; and who, by the grace of God, were made as goodly and beautiful as some of these trees were; as odorous and of as sweet a scent in their graces and duties as others; and as profitable and fruitful in grace and good works like others of them; and comparable to them, as being some of them evergreen, durable, and incorruptible; because of their perseverance in grace and holiness.

So the Holy Spirit is this water, and also symbolizes provision for his people through the wilderness. He then states His life-giving water will effect Gentiles to the point that they will grow up to be healthy, durable trees and will never be left the same!

So what does this mean for me? The Holy Spirit in my life is a literal life-giving source of water to me and all my needs are met in Him. This life-giving source should be allowed to flow uninhibited to others wandering and thirsty in the desert, and their life will be changed forever. This life-giving source will turn them into a strong, thriving tree in a wilderness of sin so that others will see and know that only God could accomplish this in them! He says they will see, know, consider, and understand that God is the only one true God and only person that can meet all their needs. Think about the wonderment of discipleship. The Lord meets your needs and fulfills you to the brim so that His glory is revealed to all and flows over into their lives so that they are saved and the cycle repeats. Praise God, our source of living water!