Daily Devotional

-May 13, 2021-

Good morning, happy Thursday,

-Divine Appointments-

“But He needed to go through Samaria” (John 4:4).

“Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Whoever drinks of this water shall thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life (John 4:13-14).’”

What is a divine appointment? It is an occurrence where God brings a person into our lives at just the right time and place for a spiritual encounter. The story of “the Woman at the Well,” is such an occurrence in John 4:1-26. This Samaritan woman is unnamed but her life was not unknown to Jesus.

Verse 4, is a wonderful verse, “But He needed to go through Samaria.” Jews and Samaritans were bitter enemies and both groups did their best to avoid the other. Jesus could have avoided going through Samaria and gone around it to reach His destination in Galilee, but He had a purpose to meet and win this Samaritan woman, and many other Samaritans. Jesus breaks down all barriers in saving souls. He loves each person.

Jesus went to a city of Samaria called Sychar, where Jacob’s Well was located. He was wearied from His journey and it was noontime. The clock in those days began at 6:00 am, called the first hour of the day, and ended at 6:00 pm, the twelfth hour. It coincided with the time when the sun rose and set. His disciples departed and went into the city to buy food.

Jesus knew from her sinful lifestyle that she would be alone at the hottest time of the day; He initiated the conversation by asking this woman for a drink of water. Her life mattered to Jesus, and that was the most important thing. Today, it would be like Jews and Palestinians getting together. Currently there is some of the worse conflicts and violence in Gaza and throughout Israel.

The conversation begins with an earthly topic, a cup of water on a hot day, but soon moves to a spiritual one, living water from God. Jesus knew all about her past. She had been married five times and the man she was currently with was not her husband. We are all sinners, and our sin must be dealt with. Our Savior died for our sins so that by believing in Him we may be saved, forgiven, and have eternal life.

This woman’s life was changed that day. She realized and believed that Jesus was the Messiah. She left her waterpot at the well and went into the city to tell everyone about Jesus and what He had done for her. She said in John 4:39, “…He told me all that I ever did.” Many Samaritans believed because she told them and they heard Him for themselves. This divine appointment lead to the salvation of many. The people said, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world” (John 4:42).

Oh, what a day that was for the woman and the whole town. It led to a revival in Samaria. Divine appointments are such a blessing in our lives and to those around us. This why we have to be ready to share when God brings someone into our lives. We don’t want to lose the opportunity to share the gospel, the good news, with those who need Jesus.

Jesus gave this woman and the others living water to quench their spiritual thirst. Once someone drinks of this water, he will live forever and never be thirsty again! The hymn writer Richard Blanchard wrote, “Like the woman at the well I was seeking for things that could not satisfy; And then I heard my Savior speaking: Draw from My well that never shall run dry.” The refrain says, “Fill my cup, Lord, I lift it up Lord! Come and quench this thirsting of my soul; Bread of heaven, feed me ‘till I want no more — fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!”

May the Lord use us in His service to testify and witness of what He has done for us. We don’t know what divine appointments may come into our lives today!

Have a blessed day in Jesus. Be ready and willing to share. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean