When you hear the word “refreshment,” what do you think of? Personally, I think of a nice cold glass of fresh lemonade on a hot day. Maybe for you, it is sweet tea on a porch somewhere. Maybe you think of water after a good bike ride. It can even be some hot chocolate after a day of skiing or snowboarding. Refreshments make you say, “Ahhhh. This is what I was missing.” Refreshments make you feel fresh again. This usually means you lacked something that this refreshment provides. You get back your energy, your joy, and your spirit. Can a glass of lemonade really do all that?

The Bible talks about springs of water as marker points, because they were places people could be refreshed. Can you imagine carrying your water bottle around for days, not sure exactly when you’d find water again? This is why Psalm 23 talks about God leading us by “still waters.” What comes next? “He restores my soul.” The Lord is the one who refreshes us fully through the Holy Spirit and His written word. He provides us with water, yet He is the true refreshment. He can restore us to health, happiness, and good living.

Once you’ve been refreshed, look around at all of the thirsty, tired people around you. You must share God’s refreshment with them, reaching your world one thirsty person at a time.                      

This is Luis Palau.