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John 7:37-39

Rivers of Living Water

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John 7:37-39

Rivers of Living Water

By Lois Parker Edstrom

Today let’s think about rivers and how important they are to all kinds of life. Fish may be the first thing that comes to mind. We could not come close to counting or naming the many types of fish that are found in rivers all over the world.

Perhaps you have gone fishing in a river so you know how beautiful a river can be and you know that fish caught from those rivers are a good source of food for humans. Eagles and other types of birds also go to the river to catch fish, which they eat and feed to their young.

Many, many types of animals go to a river to drink. Can you name a few? Elephants, cheetahs, zebras, lions, and deer.

Some animals actually live in rivers. Think of the crocodiles, otters, and crayfish. Beavers build their dams across a river or stream and raccoons use the river’s water to wash their food before they eat it.

A river also allows crops to grow. Farmers run water from the river through irrigation ditches and into the fields where they sprinkle their crops. We all benefit from that.

Jesus said, “He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water” (7:38). Isn’t that a beautiful idea? Jesus suggests that we could be like a river and give others what they need to have a good life.

When we believe in God we receive his Spirit. His Spirit lives in us and provides us with love that flows from us to others. God’s love flows from our hearts like a “river of living water.” We all benefit from that.

Scripture quotations from the World English Bible

Copyright 2008, Richard Niell Donovan