God's Holy Fire: 'Anticipating the Overflow'

Friday, August 18, 2023

On the final and climactic day of the Feast, Jesus took his stand. He cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in me this way, just as the Scripture says." (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 7:37-39 MESSAGE

Key Thought

Jesus is looking forward to the outpouring of the Spirit and the time when the Holy Spirit lives inside those who believe in him. We are now in that time. This outpouring isn't a limited supply of water like a cistern, but an unlimited supply of refreshment. It isn't a well of water that sometimes goes dry in the long hot summer, but a supply that continuously overflows. And what is this water, this source of refreshment? The Holy Spirit! The Helper Jesus sends to us. So why don't we experience the overflow? Could it be because we don't seek this overflow, don't expect this overflow, and don't ask Jesus to send this overflow (Luke 11:13; Romans 15:13; cf. John 4:13-14)?

Today's Prayer

O Father, I am tired of trying to live my life alone, left to only my own power and strength. I ask for this overflow Jesus promised. Fill me with your Spirit and bring the overflow of your power and grace. Fill me with your Spirit so that I can serve you and honor you as you so richly deserve. Fill me with your Spirit so that I can be a blessing even in tough times. O Father, I anticipate the overflow. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

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Illustration

Illustration of John 7:37-39 MESSAGE — "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in me this way, just as the Scripture says."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

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