Waters of the Bible

Water is vitally important, both in our everyday lives and in the Bible.

In the form of rain, clouds, oceans, rivers, lakes, and more, water is essential for natural life on our planet. At the same time, though, in the form of dangerous storms, flooding, and tsunamis, water can be terribly destructive.

At the beginning of the biblical story in Genesis 1, we see murky depths and chaotic waters. And yet the Spirit of God hovers over these waters and establishes his good world by shaping them. Then at the end of the Bible (Revelation 21-22) we see a vision in which the sea and its dangers are no more. Instead we see the peaceful river of life that delivers healing to all nations.

Throughout the Bible we also see many other passages referring to water, and among them is a picture of a man literally walking on the waves of the sea. We hear him telling the wind and waves to be at peace, and they are stilled. He also goes into a river to be baptized, and a voice from heaven declares, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well-pleased” (Matthew 3:17).

Though the Bible’s many references to water may seem random and unrelated, reflecting on various examples can give us powerful insights into who God is, who we are, and how we are called to live in God’s world. Let’s see how the waters of the Bible can point us to Christ, who came to give us living water “welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14).

As you read the Today devotions this month, may you be refreshed, refocused, and renewed in God’s Word!

Begin with day one of Waters of the Bible here or download the full PDF.