What Does “Rivers of Living Water” Really Mean?
Have you ever been really thirsty? Maybe you’ve been mowing the lawn on a hot day, or gone too long on a hike without a drink. There’s nothing quite like that first sip of cool, refreshing water when you need it most. In the Bible, Jesus uses this feeling of thirst to explain something amazing He offers to everyone.
In John 7:37-39, Jesus stands up in front of a big crowd and shouts, “If anyone is thirsty, come to me and drink! Whoever believes in me, as the Scriptures have said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” The people He was talking to understood what it meant to be thirsty for water—they lived in a hot, dry place.
But Jesus wasn’t talking about regular water. He was talking about something much deeper. He meant that anyone who comes to Him, anyone who believes in Him, will receive something even better than cold water on a hot day. Jesus said, “living water” would flow from a believer’s heart. The Bible explains in verse 39 that Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit, which hadn’t been given to people yet because Jesus hadn’t returned to heaven.
So, what does this mean for us? In everyday words, Jesus was saying that when we believe in Him, God gives us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is like a never-ending spring or river inside us. It refreshes us, gives us strength, peace, and comfort, and guides us through life—even when things get tough.
Think about it this way: Sometimes, no matter how much regular water we drink, we still feel empty, lonely, or just tired inside. Jesus promises that when we accept Him, He fills that emptiness with His presence. We’re never truly “thirsty” on the inside again because He puts a well—like an underground spring—of life, hope, and joy inside us.
And the best part? You don’t have to pay for this water. It’s free. Jesus says, simply come to Him, and you’ll receive this spiritual water that never runs out. It’s like having a source of strength and comfort that never dries up—no matter how dry or difficult life gets.
So, next time you feel thirsty, not just for water but for meaning, hope, or peace, remember Jesus’ promise. Anyone who comes to Him will be filled with “living water” that satisfies the deepest parts of our hearts and souls, and we’ll never have to be spiritually thirsty again.
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 