Thirst (2)

Physical thirst quenched

Exodus 17:1–6 KJV 1900

And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the Lord, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink. Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the Lord? And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst? And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me. And the Lord said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go. Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

See also Nu 20:2–11; Dt 8:15; Jdg 15:18–19; Ne 9:15; Ne 9:20; Ps 78:15–16; Ps 105:41; Ps 107:4–9; Ps 107:33; Ps 107:35; Ps 114:8; Is 48:21

The satisfaction of spiritual thirst

It is to be found in God

Isaiah 41:17–18 KJV 1900

When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, And their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers in high places, And fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, And the dry land springs of water.

See also Ps 23:1–2; Is 12:2–3; Is 35:6–7; Is 58:11

It is experienced through Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 10:3–4 KJV 1900

And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

See also Jn 4:7–14; Jn 6:35

It is known by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit

John 7:38–39 KJV 1900

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

The blessing is mediated through believers to others

See also Is 32:2; Jn 7:38

There is no satisfaction of spiritual thirst apart from God

Jeremiah 2:13 KJV 1900

For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

See also Is 65:13; Je 2:17–18; 2 Pe 2:17 False teachers promise blessing and refreshment to others, but prove to be empty and worthless.

Invitations to seek satisfaction for spiritual thirst in God

Isaiah 55:1 KJV 1900

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, And he that hath no money; Come ye, buy, and eat; Yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

See also Jn 7:37; Re 22:17

Those seeking satisfaction for spiritual thirst in God

Examples of seekers

Psalm 42:1–2 KJV 1900

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, So panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: When shall I come and appear before God?

See also Ps 38:9; Ps 63:1; Ps 143:6; Is 26:9

They will be rewarded

Matthew 5:6 KJV 1900

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Heaven is their final reward

Revelation 7:16–17 KJV 1900

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

See also Eze 47:1–12; Zec 14:8–9; 2 Co 5:2; 2 Ti 4:8; Heb 11:16; Re 21:6–7; Re 22:1–3