("I Thirst") - Too

 "After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst." (John 19:28 KJV)

  "When he finished his boasting, he threw away the jawbone; and the place was named Jawbone Hill. Samson was now very thirsty, and he cried out to the LORD, "You have accomplished this great victory by the strength of your servant. Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of these pagans?" So God caused water to gush out of the hollow in the at Lehi, and Samson was revived as he drank. Then he named that place "The Spring of the One Who Cried Out," and it is still in Lehi to this day." (Judges 15:17-19 NLT)

 Well, I feel a little better; at least I can sit up and see what it is that I am doing. It is my wife that needs to be cared for; something that I feel I am best at, regardless of what those who think they know what to do, I know that God's will is mightier that man's wisdom and efforts. 

 On the point about the Old Testament Saints; they had seen fulfilled prophecy for thousands of years, many of which were fulfilled in the years of the one given the prophecy. Oddly enough, they had faith that was stronger than us, the ones who are looking back at the cross. What were they looking at? Prophecy! That which was to come, based upon God's promises that it would all happen, just as He promised. 

 Here is the connection for the 'card' illustration. Those who have their sins placed upon what is to come, have cumulated debt; their sins are gathered up for that day when Jesus Christ will pay them all off. Just that alone makes their faith stronger, and gives them something to long for, believing it will happen, just as God promised.

 We that have been alive after the cross, our sins our forgiven, the righteousness we now enjoy is already given, stored up and given to us by God's grace. There is something about being given something that you do not deserve, you tend to feel intitled, as if you can do anything you want. But we are living by a totally different standard: the faith that we have is challenged by that which we do or don't do; the faith of those of old, was completely dependent upon God.

 Have you ever shared Jesus with someone, and felt as though you had the Spirit of God flowing out of you; only to walk away feeling drained, and thirsty? That is really not uncommon, so don't allow it to challenge your faith, just get back up and do it again...      

"He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those that fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west." (Psalm 103:10-12 NLT)