Zechariah 14:8 On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it east to the Dead Sea and half of it west to the Mediterranean Sea, in summer and in winter.
We often take clean water for granted. We go to the tap and turn it on with no thought about whether the water is drinkable or not. We make the assumption that it is clean, so we drink and cook with it.
This isn’t true for many people across the world. Projects to dig wells and set up purifying stations now exist to remedy this problem. But much more needs to be done to bring an end to this plight. We have the technology and the knowhow. We just lack the will to change priorities to do something.
Zechariah gets a picture of the future restoration of the Garden of Eden here on Earth. And one of the important elements of this restoration is the restoration of flowing water, fresh water, abundant water.
In a desert environment, water is the source of life. Without a source of water, life ends. Every living thing needs water to survive. No crops can grow. No fruit trees produce their fruit. No animals survive. People die. Water is not optional.
So the LORD promises an abundance of water in this new restored city. Those who don’t come to the city, the LORD withholds rain from their geographic areas. The picture of blessing and curse comes to mind. Those who are in relationship with the LORD, those who come to Jerusalem out of obedience, they come under God’s blessing. Those who aren’t obedient, don’t come under God’s blessing.
We have the same choice that these ancient peoples had. We can come under the protection of the sacrifice Jesus provided for us, or we can choose to try to do it on our own. Each choice has a different outcome and each choice follows a different path to that different outcome.
This living water will flow year round, not the standard for a desert climate. If there is water year round then crops can be grown year round and harvests can happen year round. Instead of having to time the planting of crops and harvests, every time become planting season. Abundance sun and warmth make the climate ideal for crops. The one ingredient needed is the water.
The LORD wants to pour out His blessing in our lives. Are we making ourselves available to that blessing? Are we obedient? Are we actively seeking His presence?
The Arnold Journey 