Finally this week we are getting rain! Though not welcome for our outside activities, it brings much needed refreshment to drooping plants on thirsty ground.

In the Bible, water is a major symbol of the life-giving power of God—how God can refresh, cleanse, and restore us. So the Old Testament prophets promise that God will give us “living water,” flowing as a river—a promise that is fulfilled in Jesus. Christ can quench the thirsting of our soul, wash us clean with God’s mercy, and place God’s Spirit flowing within us, so that, as he would say, “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38)

If our life, our spirit, and our hope seem as dried up as the ground this summer, Christ has the power to restore! We are invited to “come to the waters” (Isaiah 55:1) and receive the water of God’s grace.

Sunday’s Scripture Readings:
Ezekiel 1:4–5, 15–20
Ezekiel 47:1–12
Zechariah 14:8
John 7:37–39
Revelation 22:1–2

A photo posted by UMC of Kent, Ohio (@umcofkent) on Sep 24, 2015 at 10:26am PDT

About the Author

Dr. David A. Palmer has been the senior pastor at the United Methodist Church of Kent since 1995. He has a B.A. from Wittenberg University, a Master of Divinity from Duke University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary. A native of Wooster, Ohio, he has served three other churches in east Ohio before coming to Kent. He and his wife, Mavis, have three children.