Encouragement for Today

December 17, 2024 An Incredible Opportunity NANCY DEMOSS WOLGEMUTH Lee en español

“On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’” John 7:37-38 (NIV)

For many believers in Jesus, the subject of “daily devotions” evokes a sense of duty or guilt. Have you ever felt this way?

The practice of having daily devotions was emphasized and exhibited in my home when I was a girl. And after more than 60 years of walking with the Lord, I’m still a huge believer in the importance of spending time in God’s Word and prayer each day.

But I’ve found great freedom and joy as I’ve come to realize that devotional time isn’t so much an obligation as it is an incredible opportunity to know God. There’s a world of difference between checking “devotions” off a to-do list and having devotion.

The God of the universe has invited us to draw near to Him, to enter into the Holy of Holies, to experience an intimate love relationship with Him. As James says in his book of the Bible, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (James 4:8a, CSB).

If you’re God’s child, I believe there is within you something that will never be satisfied by anything less than genuine, close fellowship with your heavenly Father. Until you see Him face to face, you will long and thirst to know Him more.

“As a deer gets thirsty for streams of water, I truly am thirsty for you, my God” (Psalm 42:1, CEV).

If you’re thirsty, Jesus’ words in John 7:37-38 are also an invitation to come to Him — not to another program or to one more requirement but to Jesus, the source of all life:

“On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’”

Come to Him, come to His Word, and drink. Drink deeply, keep on drinking, and let Him quench your thirst. And then watch as rivers of living water flow out through you to quench the thirst of those around you.

Oh, Lord, thank You for the precious opportunity to come into Your presence today and every day — to know and to be known by You, the God of all creation. Increase my thirst for Your Word, and let Your living water be so evident in me that those around me develop a thirst that can only be quenched by You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

Each day brings a new opportunity to receive a fresh infusion of grace and perspective from God’s Word. In Revive My Heart: A Year of Daily Reflections from Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, you’ll be invited to savor the Scriptures and linger in the presence of a powerful God. As you seek Him, you’ll discover the strength you need to face the day with a revived and grateful heart.

ENGAGE

Listen to Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth daily on the Revive Our Hearts podcast.

For more from Nancy, visit ReviveOurHearts.com or follow her on Facebook, Instagram, or X (formerly Twitter).

FOR DEEPER STUDY

Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (CSB).

In this passage from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, who does Jesus say will ultimately be blessed?

What worldly treasures do you hunger and thirst after rather than Jesus and His Word? What can you do to turn from those things and toward Christ today? Share with us in the comments!

© 2024 by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries thanks Moody Publishers for their sponsorship of today’s devotion.

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