How much does a chimney cost? …. Nothing! It’s on the house!
I read that pun and groaned. However, it started me thinking of some things that are on the house (free). I ended up thinking about a famous drugstore in Wall South Dakota. For those of you unfamiliar with the city of Wall, it is in the Badlands of South Dakota. During June, July and August it is not uncommon for outside temperatures to reach into the eighties and nineties. Back in the days when air-conditioning in cars was minimal, this drugstore began offering free ice water. Even though the store has grown significantly through the years, it still offers refreshing ice water at no charge.
Although ice water refreshes me on a hot summer day, I find that there are times during the summer (and the rest of the year) that my soul becomes parched. When this happens, I turn to Jesus Christ to satisfy and refresh myself. In Jeremiah 31:25 the prophet writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit shares God’s thought. “For I satisfy the weary ones and refresh everyone who languishes.” (NASB, 1995 update) This is not a promise to take us out of our struggle or heal our sickness. This is a promise to satisfy our weary state and to refresh us so that we can move forward under His strength.
If you are weary and need refreshing, turn to Christ and tell Him bluntly that you are exhausted. His promise in both the New and Old Testament is That He will refresh us and give us strength. “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13, NASB, 1995 update)