I MAY NOT ASK FOR ASSISTANCE until I know that I need one. I may not request for directions until I know that I have missed my way.
It will take my desperation to recognise my need for God.
We fight and struggle with situations till we reach a point where we can’t take it any more, then, we ask God for help.
Man’s extremities are God’s opportunities.
When you come to your wit's end, give God the platform to work on your behalf.
The Narrative
THE DISCIPLES OF JESUS had baptised more people than John the Baptist. Then, Jesus left Judea and went back to Galilee. (John 4:1)
On his way, he passed through Samaria. He was tired and sat by the well of Jacob.
Shortly after, a woman came to fetch water. He said to her, “Give me a drink.” (John 4:7)
The woman was shocked because Jews do not associate with Samaritans.
And Jesus told her that if she knew who he was, she would have asked for the living water.
She replied, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water?” (John 4:11)
Jesus told her that when she receives the living water, she will not thirst again.
The water will become a spring of water welling up to life.
She asked Jesus to give her the water so that she wouldn’t thirst again or come to fetch at the well.
The woman had a thirst only God could quench. While Jesus spoke about the spiritual, she talked of the natural.
Brokenness
THE WOMAN had gone through a lot emotionally; she looked forward to the coming of the Messiah.
When Jesus said to her, “Go and call your husband.” (John 4:18) The woman said she had no husband.
Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” (John 4:17-18) That was her reality.
She filled the vacuum in her life with relationships, and nothing worked.
Are you doing the same? Only Jesus can satisfy that longing in your soul.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Psalm 15:17)
Submission
THE WOMAN AT THE WELL suspected that Jesus was a prophet, she submitted to His Lordship.
She said, “Our fathers worshipped on this mountain, but you say that Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” (John 4:20)
Jesus told her that they worship what they do not know.
Do you worship what you know? If the answer is yes; is He the driver of your life?
“God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24)
Then, Jesus told her that he is the Messiah.
1 Peter 5:6 says, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.." (1 Peter 5:6)
The prostitute who crashed Simon’s party was at her wit’s end too. (Luke 7:36-50)
The prostitute sat at Jesus’ feet, poured the perfume on him and wiped his feet with her hair.
While Simon saw her as broken beyond repair, Jesus saw healing beyond relief.
Jesus had mercy on her and forgave her sins.
Until we see our depravity, we cannot truly enjoy God.
C.W. Lewis said, “God made us: invented us as a man invents an engine. A car is made to run on petrol, and it would not run properly on anything else. Now, God designed the human machine to run on Himself.”
God is your fuel. You are made for His pleasure; outside Him, there is no satisfaction.
The Beatitudes give us the picture of how we come to the end of ourselves.
Matthew 5:3 says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Many times, it takes a journey of utter misery for God to grab our full attention.
It’s when you’re empty that the Lord can fill you.
Except you're empty, God will not fill you
God wants you to move away from the centre of things, so He can occupy it. You must be hidden in Christ, and Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3)
BRINGING IT TOGETHER
THE PATH OF CHRIST requires submission.
You cannot surrender without coming to the end of yourself and allowing God to fill the vacuum in your life.
God wants you to live your life depending on Him. Then, you can genuinely say the prayer—give us this day our daily bread. (Matthew 6:11)
Enjoy your week.