Devotional

“Our hearts are restless, until they can find rest in you.” –St. Augustine 

Perhaps you remember when Jill encountered Aslan in C. S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia (The Silver Chair):  

“Are you not thirsty?” said the lion. “I’m dying of thirst,” said Jill. “Then drink,” said the lion. “May I- could I- would you mind going away while I do?” said Jill. The lion answered this only by a look and very low growl.  

As Jill gazed at its motionless bulk, she realized she might as well have asked the whole mountain to move aside for her convenience. The delicious rippling noise of the stream was driving her nearly frantic. “Will you promise not to do anything to me, if I do come?” said Jill. “I make no such promise,” said the lion.  

Jill was so thirsty now that, without noticing it, she had come a step nearer the lion. “Do you eat girls?” she said. “I have swallowed up, consumed girls and boys, women and men, kings and emperors, cities and realms,” said the lion. It didn’t say this as if it were boasting, nor as if it were sorry, nor as if it were angry. It just said it.  

“I dare not come and drink,” said Jill. “Then you will die of thirst,” said the Lion. “Oh dear!” said Jill, coming another step nearer. “I suppose I must go and look for another stream then.”  

The lion said, “There is no other stream.” 

Jill desperately wanted a sip of water, but she wanted to enjoy it away from Aslan. Lewis mirrored the heart of humanity in this scene—we want our souls satisfied, but we’re prone to want it on our terms, before finally recognizing it doesn’t work. 

The Psalmist spoke of his longing for God, so intense, he likened it to an animal panting for a drink: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God” (Psalm 42:1). God is to the soul what water is to the body. 

Consider God’s invitation: “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost” (Isaiah 55:1). 

And Jesus’ promise: “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” (John 4:14). 

We were made to be satisfied with the Living Water. Nothing else will do. Are we thirsty? What makes us aware of our thirst for God today? Are we ready for relief? 

My prayer this week – Heavenly Father, I confess I’ve tried to satisfy my soul’s thirst amiss. I’ve panted after other, lesser affections. I realize my soul longs for you. Thank you for your invitation: that I may come to your fountain. Thank you for your promise: that you satisfy.