John 7:38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.
Laodicea was an idyllic city except for its lack of a water supply. It depended on water from an external source, the city of Hierapolis was located six miles to the north, the site of mineral hot springs which were used for medicinal purposes. These steaming hot waters were piped to Laodicea, arriving there… lukewarm, hence the metaphor in Yeshua’s warning to the Laodicean church.
Laodicea’s lack of a water supply also rendered the city vulnerable to siege. Potential enemies were, therefore, placated, accommodated, negotiated with, or pleaded to compromise, as the city’s leaders were desperate to avoid open conflict.
A wealthy, pleasure-loving, vulnerable, easily compromised city seems to have produced a congregation of similar character.
This combination of features makes it difficult to determine which one contributed most to the miserable spirituality of the Laodicean church. There seems to have been little true, living faith there, much less any demonstration of the power or holiness of God. Rather, the flesh ruled in Laodicea.
Laodicea’s lack of its own water supply, however, might have been a constant reminder of a promise Yeshua (Jesus) gave to all who are thirsty: “If any man thirst, let him come to me and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water;” [John 7:37-38].
Laodicea’s lack of water was a living natural metaphor that every Laodicean could have benefitted from, if it was rightly apprehended. The deficiency of water might have reminded them of a deeper need, and the Lord’s offer to fulfill it most wonderfully. Remembering the Laodicean church we may all become aware of our own desperate thirst and also, receive HIs promise… rivers of living (Holy Spirit) water!
Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy Devotions. This devotional was originally published on Worthy Devotions and was reproduced with permission.
How to display the above article within the Worthy Suite WordPress Plugin.
[worthy_plugins_devotion_single_body]In the parable of the unmerciful servant, the servant mistakenly thought that he could demand justice from another servant all the while asking mercy for himself from the king. When the king found out about this servant’s awful behavior, he became enraged and said to him “You wicked servant, I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to; couldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?”
There are two kinds of birds that roam the desert: vultures and hummingbirds. The vulture thrives on a diet of rotting meat. He flies overhead searching for traces of leftover carcasses from slow-footed critters eaten by wild animals who’ve already had their fill.
In Biblical Hebrew, the verb tenses are not like our “past”, “present”, and “future” – there are only two: “perfect” and “imperfect”. The “imperfect” tense is that which is not yet, not done, or not completed. The “perfect” is that which is done, complete and finished.
In 2nd Samuel Chapter 9 we read of the story of King David and Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan and the grandson of the first king of Israel, King Saul. After Jonathan’s death, David went forth to show kindness to Saul’s house. Mephibosheth had become lame at the young age of five — he had lived his entire life as a cripple.
The burglar froze in place, allowing the woman to call the police and report the burglary calmly. When the police arrived and detained the man, the officer curiously asked him, “Why did you stop when she cited scripture?” The burglar, still shaken, replied, “Scripture? I thought she said she had an ax and two .38s!”
We’ve been serving in full-time ministry for over 25 years now, and throughout that journey, we’ve certainly experienced our share of trials and tribulations. Sometimes in life, we ask, “Lord, will this ever end?” And if you haven’t noticed, the challenges often don’t stop. But here’s the encouraging part: with every faith-testing moment, our spiritual endurance grows, our character is refined, and our trust in God deepens.
Epraphras is not a name you hear much of. He was a member of the church in Colosse, and obviously a dear saint in the Lord. We know that he suffered imprisonment with Paul at one time. But the thing that really impresses me about this saint is what Paul wrote about him– he always wrestled in prayer!