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Friend, the Water and the Light: Joy in His Presence!

Isaiah 12:3  With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 

John 7:37–39 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38  Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”  39  Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

John 8:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 

During the days of the Feast of Tabernacles, Jerusalem overflowed with rejoicing. Every night, torches illuminated the city, and worshippers filled the courts of the Temple with singing, dancing, and laughter. It was said, “He who has not seen the rejoicing at the Water-Drawing Ceremony has never seen joy in his life.”

Each morning, the high priest would descend from the Temple to the Pool of Siloam. There he would draw water in a golden vessel and carry it back up to the altar with a grand procession of priests, musicians, and worshippers shouting Hallelu-Yah! As the water was poured out before the Lord, the people would recite Isaiah’s promise: “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” (Isaiah 12:3).

This water-drawing ceremony—Simchat Beit HaShoevah—was a prophetic picture of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The people longed for the day when living water would flow freely from the throne of God to refresh the dry and weary earth.

It was on the last and greatest day of this feast that Yeshua (Jesus) stood and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink! He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:37–38) At that very moment, as the priests were pouring out water upon the altar, Yeshua revealed Himself as the true source—the Living Water—the One who satisfies the soul’s deepest thirst.

And when the lamps of the Temple were lit to pierce the night sky, Yeshua declared again, “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

The ceremonies of Sukkot pointed to Him—the Light that never fades and the Water that never runs dry.

The joy of Sukkot was never about the water in the jar or the lamps in the court—it was about the Presence that filled both. When His Spirit flows within us, despair turns to praise. When His light shines through us, shadows flee and hearts awaken. Joy is not found in our surroundings but in the Presence of the One who fills all things with life.

Are you thirsty today? Have the wells of this world left you dry and disappointed? The same invitation that echoed through Jerusalem still resounds: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” Yeshua doesn’t offer a drop—He offers rivers. He doesn’t give momentary light—He gives eternal illumination.

Friend, step into His presence with joy! Let the Living Water flow again in the dry places of your soul. Don’t settle for ritual when rivers are offered. Don’t dwell in shadows when His light is shining. Lift your hands in worship and draw deeply from the wells of salvation. Let His Spirit overflow until every barren place in your heart becomes a fountain of joy. For the same Messiah who cried out in Jerusalem still cries out today -- “Come to Me and drink.” And when you do, the Light of the World will flood your darkness, and rivers of living water will burst forth from within you. This is the joy of His presence—the true heart of Sukkot.

Your family in the Lord with much agape love,

George, Baht Rivka, Elianna and Obadiah
George & Baht Rivka, Obi (Baltimore, Maryland), Elianna (Married living in Missouri)