It’s really not about boasting . . . but I have been looking back and reflecting. It’s been a number of years now since I’ve gone back to “The Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan” to guide my morning reading times. It’s been five years since I started journaling a few thoughts on my computer after my readings and almost that long since I started sending them out to my girls as sort of an e-Family Altar. And, for the last four years I have taken to the habit of coloring my Bible to help me keep my mind engaged as I read. And, I’m not gonna lie . . . in looking back there is a certain satisfaction. For me, it’s been a good “habit” to nurture . . . a profitable “routine” to establish . . . a great way to start the day. But with the satisfaction, there’s also a thirst. I have my new Bible ready to go for next year (I’ve picked up an ESV so we’ll see how that changes things) and, after taking a few mornings of downtime, I’m looking forward to working through the reading plan again, Lord willing.

And what’s got me reflecting . . . and anticipating . . . is my final reading of the plan in Revelation 22. I do love reading Revelation 22 at this time of year . . . particularly on these days right before the celebration of the birth of the Savior. As I remember that He has come just as was foretold, it excites me to be reminded too that He has said He’s coming again! Twice in this passage He promises, “Behold, I am coming quickly . . . ” (Rev. 22:7,12). And I find myself responding along with the Spirit and the bride, “Come! Come! Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (22:17a,20b)

But this morning it was His invitation to me that jumped off the page . . . He says to me, “Come.”

“And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” (Rev. 22:17b)

This is the second time the offer has been made in these closing chapters of Scripture . . . the second time this promise has been given . . . earlier Jesus says, “I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts” (21:6b) It is a promise from the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, Himself (21:6, 22:13). And the promise comes with a “warranty” as He who sits on the throne declares, “These words are true and faithful . . . are faithful and true” (21:5, 22:6).

It’s the way of the kingdom . . . he who thirsts and comes to the water will be satisfied . . . and he who has known the satisfaction of living water with thirst for more. It’s the reality of seeking, by His grace, to faithfully feed on His word . . . to know the dynamic of Him revealing sufficient for the day yet stirring within His own a desire to feast on His word more. It feels great to come to the end of my reading plan, but I’m also looking forward to starting from the beginning again.

And so, through His living word, I hear Jesus say this morning, “Come! . . . Keep coming! . . . Don’t stop coming! . . . to the living water I freely offer.”

And so, this grateful sinner saved by grace says, “Amen. Even so, Lord Jesus, I’ll come. Thank You for the living water . . . thank You for the living Teacher in residence within me . . . thank You for Your faithfulness each and every morning in giving me something to chew on . . . thank You for beginning a work in my by Your grace that You have committed to complete until the day I see You face to face . . . thank You for satisfying my thirst, and causing me to thirst for more. Lamb of God, I come!”

Have a blessed Christmas . . . O Come Let Us Adore Him!