BY GREG CRUM
“In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified).” John 7:37-39
Here in John, we read of Jesus’ promise to quench our thirst in life. What is more, he stated that the Agency that acts in us to quench that thirst would flow out of us as “rivers of living water.” From a drink to rivers—that is increase, that is amplification, that is effectiveness that only the Holy Spirit can supply!
So, in John chapter seven, Jesus likens the working of the Holy Spirit inside of the believer to the flowing of rivers. It is a purposeful analogy. Water is fascinating when you consider it. Probably the most valuable resource on the Earth. All living things need water to exist, right? It is also very powerful. It can move mountains, cut through solid rock, demolish man-made structures, and when harnessed, generate enough power to light up the whole world.
There is a lot that can be learned about the comparison between the Holy Spirit and water. But there is one aspect of similarity that bears a little more thought—the fact that water, in its natural state, will always seek to fill the lowest part first. Pour out a glass of water on a countertop and you will find either the low spots on the counter, or the water will flow to the floor. Water always seeks to inhabit the low spots.
What is the point? Is there a spiritual lesson that relates to how the Holy Spirit operates in our lives? Absolutely! Like water, the Holy Spirit desires to fill the lowest vessels. Lowest vessels? Sure, you know, those that are “lowly” like referenced in Psalm 138:6, which states, “Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.” Or in Proverbs 3:34, which reveals, “Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.”
So, the Holy Spirit seeks the lowly to fill with His grace, but it is not the definition of “lowly” that many understand, right? This kind of lowly is not something, or in this case, someone, of no account. Instead, the lowly that the Lord fills are those that humble themselves in the sight of the Lord.
Remember James 4:6-10? There we discover the blessing of the lowly as God promises grace to the humble! The low points that the Holy Spirit desires to abide with are the humble vessels. That has always been the pattern.
Historically, it is those who realize they are insufficient in themselves that the Holy Spirit can fill to the greatest capacity. Think about it. Meek Moses, little Gideon, the humble shepherd David, the inadequate Jeremiah, Paul, the self-declared least of the Apostles, all realized their failure to measure up in and of themselves. All identified as not enough. Did they do anything for the Lord though? Through these men came some of the greatest accomplishments for God in their generations.
So, the application? We should all desire to be used by the Holy Spirit in our lives and in our generation. In order to be eligible for God’s grace to accomplish this, we must keep a proper perspective of our skills, intelligences, and abilities. We, in and of ourselves, are horribly insufficient. Our best might thrill men, but still will not accomplish lasting change. We have to remind ourselves often that our skill, our knowledge, and our abilities are not good enough. When this is our perspective, we are low vessels and can be filled with God’s power.
Do you think you cannot be used by the Lord to speak for Him and move in supernatural ways? You are correct in a sense, but with that perspective you are also in the best position to be used by Him. He does not need the most skilled or experienced vessels in this hour—He needs the low ones.
Greg Crum is the pastor at Calvary Temple Church in Lovely.