“If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37-3837In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (John 7:37‑38)).
The Lord did not say “draw”—He said “drink.” The true spring and power of all ministry in the church will ever be found in drinking for our own souls, not in drawing for others. We must abide close to the eternal fountain, the heart of Christ. Drink deeply; drink continually. Thus our own souls shall be refreshed and enriched; rivers shall flow for the refreshment of others, and streams of praise shall ascend to the throne and to the heart of God by Jesus Christ.
C. H. Mackintosh (adapted)