A Promise To Test

By J. Hudson Taylor

    Here is a promise to test: “He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38).

    Do you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as the Giver of this full blessing? It doesn’t mean, “He that believeth on Me for the pardon of his sins,” because there are many persons who are pardoned and who have not this fullness of blessing – you can see that rivers of living water do not rush out from them. But it is: “He that believeth on Me as the giver of the fullness of the Spirit.”

    Look also at that other passage: “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst” (John 4:14).

    I accept that promise. I do believe I shall never thirst again. I do believe that from me – poor little me – rivers shall flow, rivers of living water; and God shall be glorified, and souls shall be saved.

    If we refuse to accept the promises of God, we make Him a liar. Why should we expect to be hungry when He says: “He that cometh to Me shall never hunger”? Why should we expect to thirst when He says: “He that believeth on Me shall never thirst”?

    Those of you who are familiar with the original know that the word used there – “popote” – is the same as is used in another passage: “No man hath seen the Father at any time.” So that the meaning of the passage is: He that cometh to Me shall not hunger at any time; and he that believeth on Me shall not thirst at any single time. I suppose he will always have an appetite; but he will never be famished and thirsty and unable to get refreshment.

    Shall we not take this promise and test it? Oh, if we do so, we shall find it such a source of blessing! If we do not, how much sorrow we may bring upon ourselves – how much dishonor we may bring upon our Lord!

    Our Master wants us to be strong! He wants to give us more of the Holy Spirit.

    When you are brought into the presence of some poor soul who is in sorrow and trial, and you don’t know what to say to comfort that soul, just look up and say, “Father, let the living water flow from me according to Thy Word,” and see if He doesn’t answer that prayer. When you are brought into some circumstance of perplexity, and there is a question brought to you, and you don’t know how to answer, and it must be dealt with – just look up to Him and ask Him who is All-wisdom to be your wisdom and to guide you in this matter.

    You will find you will never lack resources when you are resting in the living God. God doesn’t leave His people without sufficient resources for every circumstance. He will be with you in any field into which He may lead you to labor in His Name.