Thirsty and Worn? The Best Way to Energize Your Soul
Inside: Ever feel worn out inside your very being, thirsty for more in your life? You know what I mean: those days when God seems far away and your purpose feels lost. On those days, where can you turn to energize your soul?
Several years ago, I started running. This began with a 3K “jog with a dog.” Yes, a 3K, and I about died training for it. It took me a while to work up to participating in 5Ks. I heard someone who “runs” like me call it “slogging,” and I have adopted that term. If you’re charitable, you could maybe consider it jogging: It is very low to the ground, barely faster than a brisk walk.
Let me tell you, my 5K is your 10K. I know some people sprint right through 5Ks and then go on with their day with an extra spring in their step, but I find them really hard! My beautiful, sturdy thighs were made for powering bike pedals, not trying to bounce off of hard cement. Not one ounce of me springs.
What has really surprised me is how thirsty I get in these short little races. I hydrate and carb-load beforehand, and while the carbs last, the hydration doesn’t. By mile marker 1, I am laser focused on finding the first water station. It could not come soon enough, and it’s never enough water!
Do you know how little water I can get into my mouth from a half-full Dixie cup while I’m pretending to run, even with the low bouncing that slogging requires? Please could we install a conveyor belt at each water station and supply me with a half gallon of water? Then maybe I’d have a chance to drink enough to get me through the next mile.
By that first water station, I am parched, and if I don’t get water fast, I will peter out and not be able to go on.
Ever feel that way in your spirit, inside your very being? Parched, dry, desperately in need of energy to keep going? Like you need a half gallon of a soul-satisfying energy drink?
You know what I’m talking about: those days when your energy is waning, and it’s not because you didn’t eat your fruits and veggies. You can’t imagine making another hard decision (because they all seem hard), and you’d really like to close your eyes and wish it all away.
Those days when God seems far away and your purpose feels lost.
On those days, the very days when it is hardest to do it, we need to bend our hearts to Jesus, spend time with Him, and ask Him to revive our souls. Only He can quench our deep-down thirst.
The Bible is full of examples of Jesus as the source of life-giving water.
13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14 ESV)
37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:37-38)
Even at the very end of time, Jesus will remind us of His offer to quench the thirst in our souls. From Revelation, an account of the last days:
6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.” (Revelation 21:6)
Did you catch that this water of life is free? All we need to do is receive the gift.
In Psalm 46:4, the psalmist reminds us of the river of grace and tranquility that flows through our lives if we look to God for our help:
“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God.”
Feeling parched, dry, out of energy in your very being? Grab that Dixie cup off the water station, open that Bible that sits on your nightstand, ask God to fill your soul, and wait expectantly for Jesus to splash His living water all over you.
Digging into God’s Word: Thirsty and Worn?
This is the second time we have dug into Psalm 46. You can find a previous series on this psalm here. This is such a meaningful psalm! Read verses 4 to 7 slowly, noticing the sureness of God, His control over the nations (a good reminder for these times!), and the gladness He brings us with His living water.
Psalm 46:4-7 (ESV)
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Digging Deeper: Thirsty and Worn?
Take time to be quiet with the Lord, either now or throughout the week. If you like, you can journal about these questions and sing with the songs linked below.
1. In what area of your life are you thirsty–worn out and parched, in need of living water? Identify this thirst and name it before God.
2. Ask Jesus to quench this thirst in your life. Listen for His voice about how He can fill your soul.
3. How does verse 7 of Psalm 46 help you today?
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
4. What steps might you take this week to draw near to Jesus? Be creative with this. If you don’t have the attention to read long passages of scripture, focus on one verse, listen to an audio Bible, or do something very different: Go outside and look for evidence of God, write down three things you are thankful for, or sing along with a Christian song. You might like one of the songs linked below!
As you sing with or listen to these songs, notice how praising God lifts your soul.
In the River (Jesus Culture)
The River (Brian Doerksen)
Come Thou Fount (All Sons & Daughters)
If you love cool archaeology, check out the Extra Info about the “river whose streams make glad the city of God” at the end of this previous devotion!
If you have found this devotion helpful, please like and Share so others can hear the good news, too!
