Water and Renewal - The Crosswalk Devotional - August 5

Water and Renewal
By Whitney Hopler

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” – Isaiah 43:19 NIV

I love to take prayer walks in nature. Recently, I was walking on the nature trail in my neighborhood, which runs alongside a creek. Watching the freshwater rush along there, I thought about how often water brings renewal. Water quenches our thirst. There's nothing better to drink than a refreshing cup of pure water. Water helps us relax. Simply watching the water flow is naturally calming and peaceful. Water washes us clean. We bathe in it, shower in it, and wash our dishes and clothes in it.

Just as water renews us physically, God renews us spiritually. Our bodies need water, and our souls need God in vital ways. To be healthy, we must stay hydrated physically and connected to God spiritually regularly. Water can remind us of the need for regular spiritual renewal, just as our physical bodies require hydration to thrive.

In Isaiah 43:19 (NIV), God tells us that the renewal he brings into our lives is like a spring of water and streams in a wasteland. No matter our circumstances, God can renew our souls and make way for us to move forward well. That's because God renews us spiritually with living water. In John chapter 4, Jesus meets a woman at a well and tells her in John 4:10 that God offers "living water." He continues in John 4:13-14 NIV by saying,

“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

In John 7:37-38 NIV, Jesus proclaims: "… 'Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.'" Water holds significant symbolism throughout the Bible, representing various concepts such as cleansing, renewal, and spiritual nourishment. It serves as a powerful metaphor for the renewing work of God's Holy Spirit in our lives. In Titus 3:5-6 NIV, we read that God "… saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the Holy Spirit's washing of rebirth and renewal, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior."

How do you need to be renewed right now? The next time you interact with water – such as when you enjoy a refreshing drink or when you take a shower – use that time to reflect on how God can renew you with his living water. Consider how you can ask God in prayer for more living water in your life. Try planning some breaks in your busy schedule for spiritual practices that help you notice God's presence with you. Ask the Holy Spirit to renew your mind. Be willing to act on whatever you sense God calling you to do.

As you perceive God's new work in your life, keep seeking spiritual renewal. Allow God's living water to transform you from within regularly. The more you welcome God's Spirit to flow through your life, the more your soul will be refreshed!

Intersecting Faith and Life:
As you reflect on how water can remind you of your need for spiritual renewal, consider these questions:

In what ways do you need God's living water in your life right now?
Consider how water nourishes your body, such as quenching your thirst and keeping your cells functioning. How can you prioritize nourishing your soul through regular spiritual practices such as prayer, meditation, and Bible study?
Reflect on moments when you've witnessed the power of water, such as experiencing a rainstorm or watching waves crash on a shoreline. How does the awe-inspiring power of water remind you of God's powerful transformative work in your life?
When you think of how important water is for cleaning, how does that inspire you to seek God's forgiveness and invite his spiritual cleaning work in your life?
Think about the stillness of a body of water, reflecting the world around it like a mirror. How can you create moments of stillness and silence in your own life to reflect on your spiritual well-being and invite the Holy Spirit to reveal areas needing renewal?

Further Reading:

Whitney Hopler is the author of the Wake Up to Wonder book and the Wake Up to Wonder blog, which help people thrive through experiencing awe. She leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Whitney has served as a writer, editor, and website developer for leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA’s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She has also written the young adult novel Dream Factory. Connect with Whitney on X/Twitter and on Facebook.