The Need For An Overflow!
As wonderful as the living water was that Jesus spoke about to the Samaritan woman, he later spoke of an even more wonderful provision for our spiritual growth and development. Taking the imagery of water even further, He explained in John’s gospel that as believers drank living water from the ancient wells, they would experience an overflow of spiritual life to others. As wonderful as it is that the wells of water satisfy their individual needs, believers can experience an overflow of what Jesus called rivers of living water that will gush from the heart of a person who has placed their trust in Him. If the wells are adequate to give and sustain individual life, the outpouring of God’s rivers of living water is essential for changing our world.
If the wells are adequate to give and sustain individual life, the outpouring of God’s rivers of living water is essential for changing our world.
This outpouring is what Jesus’ followers were to experience when He poured out His Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. It was also the experience of those who have experienced revival and awakening down through the centuries.
When God steps down into history, believers from different traditions and theological backgrounds rediscover the rich provision that the Lord has always intended to bestow upon his church. Following the preparatory prayer and repentance, believers are led to consecrate their lives to the Lord completely. It is into these spiritual temples that are prepared and ready that the Lord can pour out His rich blessings.
“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. “He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”
It is vitally important that today’s church rediscovers and returns to the spiritual life source that has been taught and experienced in past generations. This same living water is still available to the church today, but first, the channels by which the water flows must be opened and cleaned out. Once these wells are opened up, today’s church will once more be able to freely access and drink from the rivers of living water and renew its life and vitality. Only then can the living water that Jesus spoke of once more overflow from the lives of God’s people to a lost world. This is what has happened in the awakenings and revivals of the past and this is what we need again today.
Our Lord says to the Apostle, ‘Tarry in Jerusalem,’ as if to say: I have taught you how, I have instructed you; you have the knowledge; but you cannot do this, you cannot be witnesses unto me until you have been baptized with the Holy Spirit. So, wait until… Then.. That is what you find throughout the running centuries.
Martyn Lloyd-Jones
