Are You Thirsty for God?
Monday, June 23, 2025 by Melissa McLaughlin

The sun blazed on the parched land. After many days of blistering heat, the plants, animals, and even the people looked wilted. In our backyard, squirrels and birds took cover in the shade of small bushes and young trees, which offered some respite from the sun’s relentless scorching.

I ventured out in the early morning to water the thirsty plants before the overwhelming heat of noontime. Stretching the hose across our front yard, my hands squeezed the nozzle, and the water gushed.

While drenching the plants, a few cold sprinkles splashed onto my legs. The cool water felt refreshing. The grass and plants revived. Tiny drops gathered on the green leaves. An earthy smell of moist soil arose from the ground.

I rounded the corner of the house to irrigate the plants on the side. My hands lifted the hose to douse our lilac bush. Suddenly, a baby rabbit hopped out from underneath the neighbor’s deck. The small, gray bunny perked its white ears and locked eyes on the water pouring from the hose.

I realized that either the sound or smell of water beckoned the bunny to come. After soaking the bushes, whose droplets offer hydration to small creatures, a chipmunk scampered out to take a sip.

Next, my husband grabbed the other hose and filled the birdbath. In just minutes, birds of every size and color swooped in, drinking, splashing, and sitting in the water. Together, we smiled at the birds’ delight.

The life-giving water provided renewal and satiated the thirsty plants and animals. Witnessing this simple joy reminded me of the daily refreshment our souls need from the Lord.

We may not recognize our desperate need for the living water of Christ. But our souls need Jesus as much as our bodies need a drink of water to survive.

Are You Thirsty For God?

Are we thirsty for God? Do we long for the refreshment only He can give? Do we take time to draw near daily and seek a fresh outpouring from His heart to saturate us with His Word and His Spirit?

Or do we scurry to our phones to look for the world’s shifting sands of trends and opinions? Do we rush into our daily tasks to check items off our to-do lists?

May we pray for God to stir our hearts and help us comprehend our utter and complete reliance on Him. And remember the replenishment and resuscitation only He can give.

Holy Spirit, keep us thirsty for God.

Let us lean toward him like the sunflower. Let us shelter under His protective shade like the animals. Let us dive into His living water with total abandon, like the birds. And be revived again! Today and every day.

There’s no better place to be. And nothing else will truly satisfy.

What reminds you to take time and be refreshed by God?

Psalm 63:1-3 (ESV) – O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.

John 7:37-39 (ESV) – On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “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.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Comments

Rachel Kaplan From CT At 8/21/2025 7:26:47 PM

In the Christian group I joined in college, which introduced me to Jesus, we loved singing many songs. My favorite was always "Drink From the Fountain that Never Runs Dry." I was so thirsty for his word and continue to be so every day!

Reply by: Melissa McLaughlin

I love this testimony, Rachel! Thank you for sharing this powerful memory. May we continue to be thirsty for God's word!

Karen Friday From At 7/5/2025 7:09:43 PM

Melissa, I pray to thirst for living water and to hunger for righteousness. Jesus provides the only lasting satisfaction for our souls. God bless and love your new site look.

Reply by: Melissa McLaughlin

Karen, I join you in thirsting for the living water of Christ and to hunger for His righteousness. That is a prayer we know is aligned with the heart of God. May He be our greatest delight. God bless you!

Spiritual Life

Join author and teacher, Melissa McLaughlin, and grow in Truthful Grace as we ignite the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit in our hearts, minds, prayers and lives. Grow in Christ, grow in the knowledge of His Word, the Bible, grow the passion in your prayers.

You are God's Masterpiece
Melissa McLaughlin
3/23/2026

Let the Wind of God's Spirit Sweep Over You
Melissa McLaughlin
2/23/2026

How Does the Light of Christ Change Your Heart?
Melissa McLaughlin
2/9/2026

3 Ways to Set Your Affections on Things Above
Melissa McLaughlin
1/26/2026

3 Ways to Shine Christ's Light in the New Year
Melissa McLaughlin
1/12/2026

Half a Walk is Better Than No Walk
Melissa McLaughlin
11/10/2025

You May Be the One
Melissa McLaughlin
11/3/2025

How is God's Spirit Like the Wind?
Melissa McLaughlin
9/15/2025

Are You Stretching for More of God?
Melissa McLaughlin
9/8/2025

Turn On the Light of Christ
Melissa McLaughlin
9/1/2025

Where is God Planting You?
Melissa A. McLaughlin
8/20/2025

Are You Seeking the City That is to Come?
Melissa McLaughlin
7/23/2025