Listen to the broadcast program. radio008en.ram (15 minutes)
The program outline is transcribed below.
This is based on a short article.
Doreen Palmer:
Welcome to ComfortForToday.com coming to you once again. The articles used on this program are the short articles on the website of the same name. Our e-mail address is comfort@comfortfortoday.com. We would love to hear from you.
The message today is about water. It is about how water represents the power of God's Holy Spirit to cleanse us and set us free from sin. The article is called "Water, a Symbol of Spiritual Strength."
Before I read this, however, we are going to look at some scriptures and think a little about the background. In the article, mention is made of an Old Testament account of how God allowed Moses to strike a rock to get water for the thirsty Israelites as they crossed the desert on their way from Egypt to their promised land of today's Israel.
(Neville, Doreen's husband, reads scriptures):
Exodus 17:6 - "YOU SHALL STRIKE THE ROCK AND WATER WILL COME OUT OF IT."
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul wrote in I Corinthians 4:10 - "AND THAT ROCK WAS CHRIST."
Jesus himself said in John 6:35 - "HE WHO BELIEVES IN ME SHALL NEVER THIRST."
Doreen:
Jesus Christ, then, is the Rock from which we get the living Water of His Holy Spirit to cleanse us and give us peace. May this article bless your heart as I read it to you. WATER A SYMBOL OF SPIRITUAL STRENGTH
Water is essential for life. Without it, man and beast die. As water is necessary for physical life, the Bible uses it as a symbol of spiritual strength. It provides peace, comfort and contentment to those who, in sincerity, ask Jesus for a drink.
When the Israelites crossed the desert from Egypt to Israel, Moses struck a rock to provide water. The early stories of the Bible all represent deep truths as God reveals His plan for mankind, and in this provision of water to save lives we see what Jesus meant when He said if anyone is thirsty they should come to Him.
When a woman from Samaria was drawing water from a well, Jesus came and told her that He had water to give to her which, if she drank it, would satisfy her for all time. It was as a spring watering forever with eternal life (John 4:6-26). It is a river of life gushing out to give life to us just as the water gushed out from the rock when Moses struck it to water the thirsty people. In both cases, the water was God-given.
We are a nation wandering around in a hot desert dying of thirst. We know not where to look for an oasis to quench the dryness in our throats. We have been walking for a very long time but cannot find any water. We follow first one ideology, then another--sometimes even following church leaders in search of it, but never ending up with anything to satisfy the deep thirst in our souls. As manna was supplied to the people in the desert when there was no food, Jesus is the spiritual food for us. But man requires both food and water; Jesus uses symbols to explain who He is and what He does. Only by coming to Jesus for our provisions will we be able to survive in these difficult days.
Jesus used the symbol of a flowing, gushing spring to explain the washing and cleansing power of His Spirit. When our bodies and clothing become soiled, we wash them in water. When our spiritual life becomes stained with sin, we then must have Jesus to cleanse our hearts. He never refuses anyone who sincerely asks for forgiveness and cleansing.
King David knew about the peace of God when he spoke about the "still waters" in the 23rd Psalm. A quiet body of water can be a very soothing place to go when we are physically and emotionally exhausted and require a quiet vacation. When we sit down beside Jesus at the quiet waters of His Spirit, we find a peace which the world cannot give. If only we would take time to sit down quietly and open our dulled ears to hear what He is saying to us, we would be given His gift of a contented heart.
The gospel of Mark lists certain signs Jesus said would be the mark of His true followers. One sign was that they could drink poisonous water and it would not harm them (Mark 16:18). He was saying that if people have the living water of His Spirit within them, nothing in the physical realm poses any threat, not even polluted water. Only this kind of assurance can give us peace in a world of terror.
When peace like a river flows over my soul, I know I am safe in the arms of my Saviour.
© 2002, Doreen Palmer
I am now going to read a poem I have written called
"WASH ME LORD JESUS"
Please wash me Lord Jesus, please wash me and cleanse me
Wash me and cleanse me from sin.
Pour down Your sweet Spirit, your Spirit from heaven,
Make my heart pure from within.
A river is flowing, a river from heaven
All 'round me Your pow'r I see,
A river of glory is Your Holy Spirit
To wash and to sanctify me.
I am washed by the water of your Holy Spirit
Sin has no power over me!
I'll jump in and swim in the heavenly waters
Washed in His Spirit, I'm free!
HYMN "Holy Spirit Fall Upon Us"
Prayer:
Lord Jesus we come before You today knowing that You are the living Water to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We ask for spiritual and emotional strength to help us hold fast to our faith in these evil days. We ask You to exchange our sin and our guilt for your innocence. So right now we give to You our heavy burden of sin and guilt, and ask You to forgive us for living as though You are not here with us.
We ask that You bless all who are listening to this program today. Bless all who will listen to it by internet. Bless every home, bless every man, bless every woman, and every child. Give them love, joy and the peace of God which pases all understanding. Help us as a nation to do things YOUR way - to humble ourselves and pray so that all will go well with us.
WE ARE SO THANKFUL THAT YOU ARE OUR SAVIOUR TO SAVE US FROM THE DEATH WE DESERVE BECAUSE OF THE SINS WE HAVE COMMITTED! THANK YOU FOR THE WATER AND THANK YOU FOR THE BLOOD WHICH WAS SHED FOR US.
And now may the God of peace and comfort be with you all, both now and forever. Amen.
(Hymn "Holy Spirit Fall Upon Us" to end program).