“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38, KJV)
The belly refers to the front or inner part of the body, the abdomen, stomach, womb, insides, or gut. We often talk about a man’s belly and the functions it plays in his life. We hear these expressions: (1) he has a real fire in his belly (2) every woman knows the key to a man’s heart is through his belly (3) his words knocked the wind out of me like a punch in the belly (4) his joke gave me a real belly laugh (5) his beer-belly is so big, I bet, he hasn’t seen his toes in years (6) his belly is so big he walks like an egg on legs (7) he must be cooking something in that belly (8) honey, I couldn’t hear a word you said my belly was growling so loud (9) I felt like crawling out of there like a snake on my belly (10) rebellions of the belly are the worst (11) one man’s theology is another man’s belly laugh (12) when a man’s belly is full, it makes no difference whether he is rich or poor (13) an army, like a serpent, travels on its belly (14) if you’re thirsty come on over here and belly up to the bar (15) Joe’s business went belly up.
I’m encouraged to know that Scripture puts an emphasis on our belly and the vital role it plays in our spiritual life. I have prayed that God would give me a deep and abiding hunger and thirst for righteousness because the Word tells me I will be filled and satisfied. Each day, I look forward to rising long before dawn and feasting on the Word of God. Reading this verse I can’t help but think that every Christian should be praying for a big belly – filled to the rim and running over with the Word of God – a cool and refreshing river of living water!
Lord, thank you for giving me a deep and abiding hunger and thirst for you and your Word. Give me a big belly and fill me with your Spirit to overflowing. Through the blood of Jesus and in the name of Jesus I pray, amen.
