Refreshing Water

O.T. #1049  "Refreshing Water"
August 29, 2017
Nehemiah 3-Part 6


LET IT GLOW

Good morning everyone. It's good to be back with you. We had a wonderful vacation, seeing the wondrous works of God. One thing we saw was the great, roaring Columbia River flowing miles from the Pacific Ocean weaving through the Cascade Mountains. It brings refreshing water to the towns along its way. In our study, we will see how the Word of God does the same for our thirty soul, refreshing our life.

So far, we have studied about the repairs of 6 gates around the Temple of Jerusalem-the sheep gate, fish gate, the old gate, valley gate, dung gate, and the gate of the fountain. Today, we learn about the water gate.

Water Gate
An aquaduct brought some water into Jerusalem, but not all of it. The rest was brought in, carried, through the water gate. It was located on the east wall close to the Gihon Spring, which was one of the main water sources.
Located at the entrance was a large public square. That is where Ezra and Nehemiah gathered the people together to read the Word of God to them.  (We read it later in chapters 8 and 12.)

Here are some Scriptures which apply to us in this time:
John 15:3 says, Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you.
John 17:17 says, Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy Word is truth.
Ephesians 5:26 tells us, That He might sanctify and cleanse it (the church) with the washing of water by the Word.
1 Peter 1:22 says, Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.

As our body needs water to maintain life, so does our soul. Jesus is the living water for our soul.
Does the Living Word quench the thirsting of our soul with love and instruction? Do we go to the source, which is Jesus?

LET IT GROW

J. Vernon McGee explains in his book  Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, History of Israel:

Ezra erected a pulpit at the water gate. We are washed by the water of the Word. It is through this gate that we are trying to spread the Word. We all need to be water boys, helping to bring the water to those who are thirsty. Apparently when the other gates and walls were torn down, the water gate remained intact. That was unusual. Does that tell you anything? The Word of God, friend, does not need any repairs. It is intact.

Folks, we don't need to try to prove the Bible is the Word of God. We take it by faith, believing it is Truth, preserved down through the ages for you and me to read, study, and share.  It is the Living Word of God to us. It flows into our soul like a drink of water, bringing refreshment to a thirsty soul.

Let me add, there were parts of Oregon which were dry and very much in need of rain. They were having to water the crops, fruit trees, and yards. As I looked around the cities and towns, I could see many dry, thirsty souls in need of the gospel.

LET IT GO

Bring my thirsty soul to the Living Water, Jesus.

Allow His love to overflow through me to others that are thirsty.