Streams in the Desert {Part 5}

Streams of Living Water

Jesus has an incredible way of bringing things full circle. As He quoted Isaiah 35 to John’s disciples, I wonder if their mind lingered on the next verse and all the texts related to it. The themes of streams and water, need and fulfillment, were not unknown to the Israelites of Jesus’ day. The soul-barrenness from Genesis 3 had only increased and festered until Jesus’ arrival. 

In the great exodus from captivity in Egypt, the Israelites doubted God’s provision and grumbled to Him about water (Exodus 17). In the book of Jeremiah, the Lord rebukes faithless Israel: “For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water” (Jeremiah 2:13). In Isaiah 55, God implores Israel, “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat!… Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live” (Isaiah 55:1,3).

And so, when Jesus arrives, He begins completing what was foretold. He did physical miracles unimagined, yes. But when He stood in the temple and declared, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water,’” (John 7:37), He is calling to everyone to find not just physical relief, but soul-filling, overflowing, unstoppable life. 

The I AM had arrived. All that you ultimately long for is found in Christ. Hope, comfort, joy, a future with your little ones, healing—all that is broken in the world is reconciled through Christ. If you come to Him, you will find refreshment that never runs out, life that never ceases, joy unbounding, and hope eternal. 

My friends, the desert of death is not the end. In Christ, day by day, you will find a never-ending source of comfort in your loss. In Him, the only hope of a real, lasting healing of your broken heart is offered. As you come to Him—perhaps anxious and doubting, perhaps wounded and lost, perhaps in a wilderness different than infant loss—you will find nourishment for your soul. 

Grieve.

Behold.

And come.

Reflect:

• Is the pain of your grief (or other pains) clouding your view of God? How so?
• How do you perceive Jesus in your pain? What are your thoughts or emotions about how He thinks of you? (Example: I think Jesus looks at me with compassion/I think Jesus is annoyed by me) What does the Bible say about that?**
• Have you come to Christ for “streams of living water”?
• How does Christ’s invitation to come to Him influence your grief?

** Our flesh is weak, our enemy is cunning, and our world is broken. We believe lies more often than biblical truth. If you don’t know how God sees you, or don’t know how to find the answer in the Bible, please seek out someone to discuss it with you! 

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Erin Cushman is the founder of Hope Mommies. She is married to Blair and has four children: Gwendolyn, who has been with Jesus since October 20, 2010, Malacai, who is three, Gemma, born in June 2015, and Baby Cush. She loves photography, gardening, cooking, reading, playing with her children, and especially loves when all those things combine.

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