John 4:14, “Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

The sixth gate is…

THE FOUNTAIN GATE (Nehemiah 3:15)

Life is busy. Many times it can be overwhelming. We run dry and feel we can barely keep going. Like a car that grinds to a stop when it runs out of fuel, we come to a grinding halt. Do not despair. There is a refueling station? It is God Himself. And He is more than a well. He is a Fountain that never runs dry. He is an everlasting Fountain, pouring out abundantly of His life and love.

Unfortunately, we fall into the same trap as the Israelites. God admonished them in Jeremiah 2:13, “My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.” And again in Jeremiah 17:13, “O Lord, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed… because they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters.” (Jeremiah 17:13)

God is the fountain of our life. (Psalm 36:9, Revelation 21:6). He is the true source of our strength, peace, joy and wisdom. He bids us replenish at His fountain. Come to Him continually. Abide in His presence. Forget trying to accomplish all you have to do in your own strength. Forget trying to love with your human love that often wanes. You have a Fountain that never runs dry.

Not only is God a Fountain, but He wants you to be a fountain of His life and love. As you yield yourself to Him, the Holy Spirit will spring up in you like a fountain. He will overflow from your heart to pour out rivers of love, life and salvation to others. Jesus cried out in John 7:37-39, “’If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ But this he spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in him would receive.”

What is the Fountain Gate like in your home? Is it a dry well? Or an overflowing fountain?  Or perhaps it is a fountain that gives off murky water. Perhaps you are pouring out hasty words. Or even bitter and spiteful words. What kind of a fountain flows from your heart and mouth? James 3:8-12 challenges us, “Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Does a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?...so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.” The Holy Spirit in you will make the Fountain Gate in your home sweet.

Perhaps this gate needs a little repairing in your home. This is what it is all about. We have to keep our gates repaired. We read the word, “repaired” nearly forty times in Nehemiah chapter 3. Repair… repair… repair!  Your gates will always need repairing. This is your task as the Gate-keeper of your home. (Isaiah 58:12)

Nehemiah 3:15 tells us that Shallun not only repaired the Fountain Gate but covered it. He did not leave it exposed and unprotected. The Knox translation says, “He finished it.” Don’t leave your repair jobs half completed. Finish the job.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

“Oh Lord, I come to you as my source and Fountain. I draw from your life-giving water.  Fill every part of my life with your Holy Spirit so that your life will spring up and flow out me. Help me to be a life-giving fountain in my home. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION: