Devotions From the Heart: Something Happens When We Believe

by Derek Gitsham

"He that believeth on Me, as the scriptures
hath said, out of his belly shall flow
rivers of living water." John 7:38

It is a most obvious note and emphasis that
is being made, that John in his gospel is
a pragmatist. For him things had to work
in your day-to-day life. By the scripture
that we have chosen it is clear to see where
he was going.

“He that believeth…out of his belly shall
flow rivers of living water.” You cannot
believe God, says John, and have nothing happen.
Throughout his gospel there is more evidence of
the same thing. By using the verb “believe”
and not the noun “faith,” it is quite
self-evident that John believed in results.

His gospel is replete with treasures not
included in the first three gospels and,
oh, what a treasure they are. The early
Church desired John to write his gospel
with the emphasis on the person of our
Lord Jesus Christ rather than on the
work that Jesus performed.

He omits the birth of Jesus, includes only
seven miracles, all of which are called
“signs”—they pointed to truth, that is
why they were included. He alone is the
one who gives us the upper room discourse
on the Holy Ghost from John 13:17 and
brings to light the divinity and Godhead
of Jesus for all to see. Truly He was God,
and John makes it real to our hearts.

Believing will produce its own evidence.
“He that believeth in me shall not walk
in darkness.” No ifs or buts. You will
not if you believe. How many are walking
in darkness? Check your believing. Again
John says in chapter 20:31, “These are
written that you might believe that Jesus
is the Christ, the Son of God, and that
believing you might have life through His
name.”

John is so simple here. Here is the
pragmatist talking: all it takes is to
believe God, and keep on believing.
Our believing must not stop just as our
life does not stop but is always keeping
us alive. Let us join, then, with John.
Return to simple believing and watch with
wonder God moving, and life flowing like
a river out of us to all around. Amen!

John 7:38
rivers of living water