THE LORD’S SHEEP MINISTRIES
SUNDAY MESSAGE
JANUARY 4, 2026
THEME: 2026 YEAR OF DIVINE MERCY AND MANIFOLD POSITIVE MIRACLES (Isaiah 6:7; 8:18)
TOPIC: The Spring of Salvation
TEXT: Isaiah 12:3
INTRODUCTION:
A spring is a source of water or the place where water originates and flows. Since water is essential for life, a spring is a source of life and sustenance. A spring serves as a metaphor for the source of life, wisdom, and spiritual nourishment that God provides. A pure heart, wisdom and understanding that guide actions and decisions, wise words and counsel that refresh, and Jesus—who is the source of spiritual life—are all springs. Our text refers to the latter spring, who is Jesus, the Spring of Salvation. He is the promised gift to the people of God pictured in the text we are considering today.
Jesus, fulfilling the Scriptures as this life-giving source, invites all to benefit from this life: “Whoever is thirsty may come to me and drink. If anyone believes in me, rivers of living water will flow from their heart.” The living waters refer to the Holy Spirit (John 7:37–38). As believers, may rivers flow from us as we draw from the life-giving waters of Jesus this year, in Jesus’ name.
- The object of salvation:
The people of God have always been the object of salvation. The Bible says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.” These are the Israelites, and subsequently the believers in the Messiah.
They would go through chastisement because of their disobedience, but when they repented, God’s wrath was abated, and He promised to save them. The driving force is that God’s word should not return void. The man God made in His image must fulfill the purpose for which God created him—to show forth His glory all over the world. Israel was God’s beacon. After punishment for their sins, Israel could look forward to God’s salvation and share it with others, especially the Gentiles (Psalm 116:13). It was a comforting promise to Israel and to as many as would be thirsty.
Those who have a relationship with God will have joy because of deliverance and salvation. It is not only emotional but a sense of fulfillment and peace that comes from knowing God’s promises and experiencing His faithfulness. Today, you and I are God’s object of salvation. He wants to save us to the uttermost and wants us to trust and depend on Him always because He is faithful. His joy in us is the proof that the coming salvation is real and present.
- The source of salvation:
God assured Ahaz through Isaiah with an accompanying sign: “The Lord Himself shall give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6–8). Jesus confirmed this (John 7:37–38). Water symbolizes life, and Jesus invites all to come and drink of the water He gives.
Water is a rich symbol of salvation, especially to people who live in dry lands such as Palestine. God will provide salvation in the form of water as He did during their wilderness journey. Believers must deliberately reach out to receive life-giving water that flows perpetually from the heart of God. This water is not from a cistern but from a well, a spring—a source that never runs dry. The water He gives is the water of life (Revelation 22:17). It gives continual satisfaction. It represents the inexhaustible provision found in God, who is the source of all life, the El Shaddai. The Lord is the well from which people draw their salvation (John 4:14). Thank God it is a well and not a cistern—unfailing assurance, ever-flowing consolation, gushing hope, and streaming victory.
Do not forsake the spring of living water, the fountain of life, as the Israelites did (Jeremiah 2:13; Psalm 36:9). This source heals everything it touches (Ezekiel 47:1–9). Salvation’s supply originates in the Lord and not in human effort. It flows through the finished work of Christ, available now and ending in eternal life. It must be received and appropriated.
- The appropriation of salvation:
Springs or wells of salvation are sources of water, metaphors for where spiritual life comes from. They are costly—the most expensive being dug by the blood of Jesus. A well can be plugged, seized, re-dug, and appropriated. Israel appropriated wells they did not dig (Deuteronomy 6:11). We must defend our wells and not allow them to be plugged or seized (Genesis 26:18). Isaac re-dug the wells of his father that had been plugged. The meaning is that the enemy can create doubts about your salvation and trust in God.
Know for sure that your salvation cannot be taken away by anyone but yourself. You can, however, be hindered from living the abundant life of God through affliction. At such times, we need to re-dig. Just as water is essential for physical life, God’s salvation is essential for spiritual life. Our pilgrimage as believers is lined with these wells of saving help.
We are called to continually draw from God’s resources through prayer, study, and fellowship—with joy. Christ is the source, joy is the bucket, and faith is the hand that must draw it. The living water being Christ, the joy of salvation should be evident, serving as a testimony to others of the transformative power of God’s word.
What is it you need? A rope and a bucket are required—joy and faith—depending on your measure of need and how long your rope is. Unfailing assurance, ever-flowing comfort and consolation, gushing hope, trust without fear, strength, praises, and joy are all results of appropriating salvation that stems from Christ the source. Worshiping people give thanks to the Lord for saving them and bringing them home again. Witnessing people tell all the nations of the greatness of God.
