PRICELESS LIVING WATER

Time with Jesus - 5 Sept. 2013

Hi All,

In 1957, one of our English “Set books” was King Solomon’s Mines. The book was first published in September 1885 amid considerable fanfare, with billboards and posters around London announcing "The Most Amazing Book Ever Written". 

It became an immediate best seller. H Rider Haggard wrote the novel as a result of a five-shilling wager with his brother, namely whether he could write a novel half as good as Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. The book was a novelty. When, published, it became the year's best seller; (Courtesy Google)

The book was a “hit” with the Standard 8 schoolboys. It had all the ingredients needed to capture the imagination of youngsters in school. Some of us were familiar with “Allan Quatermain”. He had featured in other Rider Haggard books. It included intrigue, treachery, some knowledge of African history and geography, hardship, thirst, “magic tricks”, a total eclipse of the sun, a male / female love affair and the restoration of a throne to its rightful owner.

Carrying Water in the Desert

In the early chapters of the book, the party crosses the desert on the way to “Kukuanaland”, located behind two mountains known as Sheba’s Left and Right Breasts.

The image of the terrible thirst the party experienced crossing the desert, trying to locate an oasis shown on a map which may or may not have been reliable, is vivid. From there across the mountains to the Kraal of Twala the ruthless king and on to their ultimate victory and restoration of the royal throne to Ignosi was the “stuff” to catch the imagination of 15 year old boys!

Although South Africa does not have a plentiful water supply, the people have succeeded in living in our somewhat arid conditions. Dams and water conservation measures have so far succeeded in satisfying the thirst of our people. However, on many occasions, water has been a scarce commodity.

A Modern Fountain

In Biblical times, the only way to obtain water, away from rivers, was by digging wells. The book of Genesis refers to wells on 29 occasions. A well was a pit or hole sunk into the earth to provide water. Many different types of wells are mentioned in the Bible. These include a cistern dug in the ground; a spring; a fountain, also called a living spring; and a pit or hole. All the Patriarchs obtained well water for personal and animal consumption at some time in their journey through life.

Things were not grossly different in the days of Jesus. Usually, women transported water from the well to their home or tent. Young girls learned how to carry water pitchers on their heads much the same way as African women learn to carry vessels on their heads. It’s an acquired skill which they master while comparatively young.

It would not be unusual for a number of women to set off to the well, collect the water and return home in a group. Nevertheless it was hot, tiring work which may have had to be repeated more than once per day, depending on circumstances. 

Travelling together in a group would be safer and they could help each other when water was being drawn up from a well. Those who were regarded perhaps as “unsavoury”, such as girls of bad reputation and prostitutes, would generally travel in the middle of the day. This way they could keep to themselves

The story of Jesus and the woman at the well in John 4, introduces us to the Jesus who has a high regard for women, regardless of the opinions of others. Here at Sychar, the woman, a “hated Samaritan” arrived at the place known as “Jacob’s well”. There she had an encounter with Jesus which changed her life forever. 

Basically, Jesus was thirsty and asked her to give Him a drink. A dialog then developed between the two of them. She could only provide Him with water from the well. He offered her “living water”; water from the Holy Spirit. When the conversation concluded, she established she was talking to the Messiah. So convinced was she, she became the world’s first evangelist for Jesus!

Today’s meditation consists of 5 poems. The first three are different. The final two are in the same style. It’s an attempt to give variety within the poetry section.

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – 5 Sept. 2013			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
©	These devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes					©
	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	PRICELESS LIVING WATER
Dad used to say “A change is as good as a holiday”. So here’s a change for me. Four different writing styles. Hopefully you will find the content helpful and perhaps I can have a holiday? The Jimmet originated from Jeremiah’s comments by the Lord concerning the things His people had done. In Jeremiah 2, The Lord was speaking to the prophet about His people. He was commenting on the fact that His people had abandoned Him and pursued other gods, which were not gods at all. They were images the people had dreamed up. This portion of Scripture came from the period before the Babylonians invaded Judah and Jerusalem and carried off His people to Babylon. Actually, the Babylonians attacked on three separate occasions with ±10 years between each invasion. The first time was in ±606BC. Jeremiah’s ministry began in ±627BC. It follows that these words recorded by Jeremiah must have been in ±620BC. The Jimmet focuses on the words of God through Jeremiah. It is a brief summary of those times and reflects something of God’s attitude to the people’s unfaithfulness in “chasing after” foreign gods and idols. This is followed by an interpolation of Psalm 37 7-9. This, my “standard” poetry style, contrasts with the Jimmet and focuses on the goodness of God. Our total dependence on and need for God includes references to Paul’s words to the Athenians in Acts. 28 For in Him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, 'We are His offspring.' Acts 17:28 NLT In this portion of our meditation I’ve tried to show the need for our utter dependence on Him. Jesus’ words to the woman at the well are referred to in the next few lines of verse. The astonishing dialog between Jesus and this woman! In those days, Jews didn’t speak to Samaritans. For a Jewish Rabbi to speak to a Samaritan woman of questionable morals at that time was unthinkable. But this was the Lord Jesus. This dialog in John 4 must have done more to elevate the status of women in those days and subsequently, than we will ever appreciate in the 21st century. Jesus showed the men the way in this regard. In His own unique way Jesus led the way to the liberation of women that few people realise. The final two poems are in a very simple four/four style. The first refers to words written by Isaiah. They are God’s invitation to the thirsty to come and drink from His abundant supply. Notice that no cost would be involved. It sounds like an evangelical 21st century appeal! The final short verse is taken from the end of the book of Revelation. It seems to reflect the words of Isaiah! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			13 "For My people have done two evil things: They have abandoned Me--the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all! Jeremiah 2:13 NLT	1 - Jimmet -  Jeremiah 2:13 NLT My people have just done two evil things.                           The first is that they have abandoned Me. The only One who living water brings; Dug their cisterns which are water free! Cracked and empty, they’re dry as bones. Not a trace of moisture anywhere! Why is it they leave their God alone, When I Am the only One who cares? Sadly this is how it’s always been, Searching for a god when there is none. Images to look at and be seen. But the fact is, I’m the only One! They prefer the idols of their mind. And reject the One who’s good and kind. 2 -  Psalms 36:7-9 TNIV How priceless Your unfailing love. O Lord in Thee we hide.      In the shadow of Your wings is where we all abide. Feast on the abundance, which only You supply. From delightful rivers, we drink and are not dry. Lord You have provided this. You are the source of light. The fount of living water You give us day and night. Without You there is nothing. Not one of us could be. You are our existence. We live and move in Thee. You feed us when we’re hungry. Warm us when we’re cold. Give us all we’ll ever need. Our silver and our gold, Is what You provided back when You shaped the land. So that we could find it as from Your mighty hand. 3 - John 4:14 GW       Water from a reservoir a man must drink to live;            In order that his thirst, he can contain; Whoso drinks the water that I, alone, can give,          He will never ever thirst again! That which I provide is like a flowing, bubbling spring,          Gushing up and flowing from inside. Streams of Living Water will flow from deep within,          And everlasting life will thus abide!" 4 - Isaiah 55:1 NLT It won’t cost you anything        Not the water which I bring.       Wine and Milk I give for free,      . If you’ll come and follow Me!      5 - Revelation 22:17 NLT The Spirit and the Bride say come.                      To your thirst, do not succumb. Anyone who’s parched and dry Come! Drink freely! I’ll supply! Jim Strickland Written 5th Sept. 2012
			7 How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. 8 They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. 9 For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. Psalms 36:7-9 TNIV
			13 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, my servants shall eat, but you shall be hungry; behold, my servants shall drink, but you shall be thirsty; behold, my servants shall rejoice, but you shall be put to shame; Isaiah 65:13 ESV
			14 But those who drink the water that I will give them will never become thirsty again. In fact, the water I will give them will become in them a spring that gushes up to eternal life." John 4:14 GW
			39 (He said this in regard to the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were about to receive. The Spirit had not yet been given because Jesus had not yet been glorified.) John 7:39 MSG
			1 "Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink--even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk--it's all free! Isaiah 55:1 NLT
			17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." Let anyone who hears this say, "Come." Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. Revelation 22:17 NLT