Scriptures of Encouragement ~ I Thirst

"After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, 'I thirst!'" ~ John 19:28, NKJV

Thirst. 

The Greek word Jesus spoke for thirst in this passage of scripture is dipsao (dip-sah'-o). Now, we know that Jesus was experiencing extreme thirst during His crucifixion. We also know that the prophetic Psalm 22 foretold great thirst during Jesus' crucifixion. But, digging deeper, I learned there is something very special about dipsao kind of thirst. Are you ready for this? Dipsao means to "suffer thirst; to painfully feel the want of and eagerly long for those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported and strengthened" (King James Concordance).

Let's think about this for a minute. During the crucifixion of Christ, He was separated from God because He had taken on the sins of the world. For this moment in time, the only begotten Son of God was covered in the shame and filth of our sins. God, the Most High and Holy God, could not even look upon His child. Jesus experienced the pain of separation from God that is ours until we come into the saving grace and knowledge of His precious Son. Jesus experienced the same void that is ours that only the Spirit of God - the Living Water - can fill.

I heard a powerful song this weekend titled, "I Thirst", written by Bev Lowry. The lyrics describe someone experiencing anguish in their life. The person expresses this anguish as a thirst, a longing, that only the Lord can satisfy. And as the story continues, this person realizes his/her thirst can only be quenched by the Living Water of Christ. Without Jesus' willingness to die for our sins, this Water would not be available. It was in His death that the Rock was cracked open and the Living Water gushed forth.

The words of the chorus are: "He said, 'I thirst!' - yet He made the rivers. He said, 'I thirst!' - yet He made the seas. "I thirst," said the King of the Ages. In His great thirst He brought water to me."

I love this.

John 6:35 reads, "He who believes in, cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst anymore" (Amplified Study Bible).

Are you thirsty today? Is your soul parched, your spirit dry as a bone? Just think...the King of the Ages, the One who made the rivers and the seas knows all about it. He died so that we might never thirst again. Sweet friend, run to Him! Run as fast as your little legs will carry you. Pour out your heart to Him, your hurts, your fears and then open your heart wide to receive His love.

Did I mention that I love this?


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It seems that so many of our friends and loved ones - even ourselves - have deep longings, hurts, and circumstances that only the Lord can satisfy. If you know of someone who may be encouraged by this message, please share it with them. Thank you so much.

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