July 10, 1913. Do you know the significance of that date? On that day was recorded the highest temperature ever observed not just in the continental United States, but in the world. On that day in Death Valley, California, the temperature reached 134 degrees.
More than likely you will not have to endure summer temperatures that high, not just this summer but ever. More than likely you’ll think that when it reaches into the 90s it’s getting pretty hot, especially if the humidity is high. More than likely you’ll be satisfied to take advantage of your or someone else’s air conditioning when the heat begins to be oppressive.
And that’s all well and good. But don’t forget the most important way to survive the summer heat: keeping hydrated. Modern-day experts say that women need to ingest 2.2 liters of liquids per day; for men it’s 3 liters. And in higher temperatures (which make you lose more liquids by sweating) those amounts should be increased.
If you’ve ever been dehydrated, you know how scary that can be. Imagine, though, someone intentionally becoming dehydrated. That would seem crazy. And yet when it comes to our spiritual well being, too often we do just that. We avoid taking in what we know we need. We tell ourselves that we can make it on our own. We ingest things that are downright bad for us.
How important is the water needed for spiritual life! In the water of baptism God washes our sins away because of the saving work of His Son. Jesus’ perfect life and innocent death provide eternal salvation for us and He gives us that blessing in our baptisms. And Jesus continues to give us the water we need: “Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14; ESV).
Keep drinking the water Jesus gives you in his Word! It’s the only thing you need for this life and the next.