July 1

Morning

And on that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it toward the Eastern Sea and the other half toward the Western Sea, in summer and winter alike. — Zech 14:8 BSB

The streams of living water flowing from Jerusalem are never dried up, even by the heat of a scorching midsummer, just as they weren’t frozen by the cold winds of winter. Rejoice, my soul, that you’re still here to testify to the Lord’s faithfulness. Seasons change, and you change, but the Lord remains constant, and the streams of His love are as deep, wide, and abundant as ever.

The heat of life’s pressures and the fiery trials I face make me crave the refreshing flow of His grace. Thankfully, I can go at once to drink fully from the unending fountain, which flows in both summer and winter. The heavenly springs never run dry, and praise be to the Lord, the earthly springs won’t fail either. Elijah saw the brook of Cherith dry up, but Jehovah remained the same Provider. Job found his friends to be as unreliable as deceitful streams, but he found his God to be an overflowing river of comfort. The Nile is Egypt’s lifeline, but its waters fluctuate; our Lord, however, is eternally dependable.

Cyrus conquered Babylon by diverting the Euphrates, but no power—human or demonic—can stop the flow of divine grace. While ancient riverbeds have long dried up, the streams that flow from God’s eternal love and sovereign grace will always be full. Generations may fade away, but the flow of grace remains unchanged. The river of God could sing more truthfully than the poet’s brook, “Men may come, and men may go, but I go on forever.” How blessed you are, my soul, to be led beside such still waters! Never stray to other streams, or you might hear the Lord rebuke, “What are you doing on the path to Egypt, drinking from its muddy river?”

Evening

Then the man and his wife heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the breeze of the day, and they hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. — Gen 3:8 BSB

My soul, now that the cool evening has come, take a moment to withdraw and listen to the voice of your God. He’s always ready to speak with you—whenever you’re ready to listen. If there’s any delay in this communion, it’s not on His part but on yours, for He’s standing at the door and knocking. If His people would only open the door, He’d gladly come in. But what’s the state of my heart, His garden? Can I hope that it’s well-kept and watered, producing fruit that pleases Him? If not, He has much to correct, but still, I pray He would come, for nothing can make my heart right like the presence of the Sun of Righteousness, who brings healing in His wings.

Come, O Lord, my God—my soul longs for You and waits eagerly for Your arrival. Come to me, Jesus, my beloved, and plant new flowers in my heart like those that bloom so perfectly in Your character! Come, Father, the Gardener, and tend to me with Your tenderness and wisdom! Come, Holy Spirit, and refresh my whole being as the evening dew moistens the plants. Oh, that God would speak to me. Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening! Oh, that He would walk with me; I’m ready to give my whole heart and mind to Him, and every other thought is silenced. I’m only asking for what He delights to give. I’m sure He will graciously fellowship with me, for He’s given me His Holy Spirit to dwell with me forever.

How sweet the cool twilight is, when every star seems like heaven’s eye, and the gentle breeze feels like the breath of divine love. My Father, my Elder Brother, my Comforter, speak to me now with Your loving-kindness, for You’ve opened my ears, and I am not resistant.