How Deep Do You Drink?

I enjoyed a surprise visit from a friend this past week. For over an hour we talked about how far our faith in God has pulled each of us out of the dark despair of the world, into the light of life and hope. I went digging to find something to portray this great encounter which brought me the encouragement God had intended, and pray it encourages you.

A small boy from a big city slum was taken to the hospital with a broken leg. There were seven children in his family, and not surprisingly he looked under-nourished, as hunger often went unsatisfied. Even a glass of milk, when one could be afforded, had to be shared through a straw by at least two or more. A finger would be placed on a certain spot of the glass and the child who was about to drink would be cautioned, “Only to here and no more!” During his hospital stay a nurse brought the little boy a large glass of milk with a straw sticking out of the top. He looked at the glass longingly and then asked, “How deep can I drink?” Knowing what the boy was asking the eyes of the nurse welled up with tears as she replied, “As deep as you want; as deep as you want young man!”

Jesus once called out in a crowd, “...If anyone is thirsty, let them come to me and drink” (John 7:37). Christ is to the thirsty soul what water is to the thirsty mouth. Thirst, when intense, can be a most unpleasant and even painful sensation. The dry throat, the swollen tongue, and the parched, broken lips are precursors of death unless water in some form is quickly administered. Next to oxygen, water is the requisite of life. Only when there is “thirst”, desire within the dying soul, do persons drink of Christ. Unfortunately, upon imbibing the initial draft which brings the remission of sins, some feel no need for further drinking. It’s as if they think that the water of life can all be taken in with one big gulp! As with the little boy, our desire will govern how deeply we drink. We can but imagine how such an impoverished lad would drink, and drink still more, unrestricted, from such a full glass. So it should be with us; the supply of Christ for our thirsty souls is abundant, exhaustless and unrestricted. Why then do we drink so sparingly? Our Bible classes, worship assemblies, and Gospel meetings are for the “thirsty”. Do not deny your soul the drink it must have to survive in such a harsh environment as this evil world. How true it is: we drink or we die! “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6). “Come all you who are thirsty...” (Isaiah 55:1-13).

[John 14:1; 27] “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. ...Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” God Is Everywhere; author unknown: “Let not your heart be troubled; He knows and understands. He knows of all your heartaches; And reaches out His hand. Don’t crowd thoughts with worries, Or dwell on foolish things. God’s love is everywhere, This to you He brings. The sparrows search the sky for Him; The flowers raise their heads. The smallest creatures on this earth, Scurry from their beds. The morning brightens up the day; And clouds float through the sky. As we see God’s majesty, His hand doth skillful ply. He sends the soft caressing rain, To green up yonder fields. He’s measured every grain of sand; His promise He’s revealed. How wonderful it is to know, He hears our every whim. God’s love is everywhere; And we can count on Him.” “...encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness”(Hebrews 4:13)