Thirst is something that we have all experienced to some extent, whether on a summer's day after a long walk, or after a winter bike ride or a game of football - that need which makes it impossible to think about anything else until our thirst is satisfied. When you read books about explorers walking
through the desert, carrying enough water is crucial or failure to do so will lead to certain death. Water is an essential part of life and we are fortunate enough to live in part of the world where we can take safe drinking water for granted. In this opening verse in Isaiah there is a call for all who are thirsty to come to the waters. This is an invitation to all and specifically states it does not matter if one has no money, everyone is welcome. This is a call which Jesus himself echoes in John 7 where he call others to come to Him and drink and states that rivers of living water will spill out of anyone who believes in him, a reference to the coming of the Holy Spirit.
The references in Isaiah and John are referring seemingly to something more than physical thirst and instead to a spiritual thirst. The question is, are we thirsty and do we feel the need for something of God in our lives? There is then a further promise in this passage that if we are thirsty, we can seek God while he is here to be found and close at hand - a promise which is open to all. The passage also talks about God's lavish forgiveness and that we can turn to God whatever we have done. This is a God who stands at the door and knocks as it states in the book of Revelation. We just need to realise our thirst and turn to God. In reality we all probably recognise that need for something more in life but sometimes we look elsewhere to satisfy the thirst. However, God promises to fill us to overflowing with His Spirit, and that this will satisfy our deepest needs and give us life spiritually just as water gives us life physically.
'Si quelqu'un a soif, il peut venir à moi et boire. Celui qui croit en moi, des fleuves d'eau couleront de son cœur, et cette eau donne la vie' (Jean 7: 37-38)
'Cherchez le SEIGNEUR pendant qu'il se laisse trouver. Faites appel à lui pendant qu'il est près de vous.' (Esaïe 55:8)
Matt Harpur
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