December 13 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

Almost every year there are severe droughts in some parts of the country. The sight of parched fields and ruined crops is very distressing. Nothing grows where there is no moisture. Life still depends on water.

In the Bible, water represents salvation. God himself is the well of salvation. Where God's goodness does not reach, life wilts. Life still depends on God.

Jesus is the Son of God. Just as a river carries water to a town from the springs in the mountains, so Jesus brings life itself from God to believers.

But it is not enough to have a mighty river running in front of your house. You might still die of thirst unless you yourself kneel down and put your lips to the water. Nobody can do that for you; you yourself have to drink. Only then can you sing with Isaiah, "Surely God is my salvation."

How do you drink the water Isaiah talks about?

Drawing from the wells of salvation is the same as coming to Jesus. Christ said, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink." And all these different words—drawing, coming, and drinking—may be replaced by one simple word: believing. Jesus himself said, "Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty" (John 6:35).

The experience of salvation is, among many other things, a matter of great joy. "With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." It has been rightly said that God's salvation aims at more than our happiness. But one of its first products is joy. It's a deep and lasting happiness, a visible contrast to those who do not know God's grace. Salvation gives joy!

Just as the well in ancient villages was the focal point of the good life—there was always the song of the girls, the meeting and greeting of people—so there is unending joy and daily singing among those who are drawing water from the wells of God.

REFLECTIONS

What does the "joy of salvation" look like in your life? How do you experience the deep happiness that comes from being saved?

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published by Paideia Press in 1977. This updated edition is copyright 2009 by Faith Alive Christian Resources. You can order a copy of this revised version of the book directly from the publisher.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this updated edition of Daylight are from the Holy Bible: Today's New International Version copyright 2001, 2005 by the International Bible Society.