The explorer Ponce de Leon landed in St. Augustine in search of the fountain of youth and people today, although they don’t use the term, they seem to be ever looking for the fountain of youth. The Bible does not use the term, fountain of youth but it does have plenty to say about the “fountain of life.”
Proverbs 14:27 (ESV) — 27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.
What a great statement! After considering the life and end of man, Solomon turns to the end of the matter of things that count and notice how he brings up what he earlier had said was the fountain of life, “the fear of Lord.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13 (ESV) — 13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
Likewise, Solomon says that the teaching of the wise is a fountain of life as you’d expect what the wise man is teaching, because as in Proverbs 14:27, the fountain of life is a guard from the snares of death.
Proverbs 13:14 (ESV) — 14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.
The ultimate fountain of life is God, Himself. Notice how the psalmist connects the “fountain of life” with light and where does that take us but to the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is life and light.
Psalm 36:9 (ESV) — 9 For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.
1 John 1:5 (ESV) — 5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
John 1:4 (ESV) — 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
Unfortunately, the ways of man are to neglect what God’s word has to say about the fountain of life. As Jeremiah pointed out to the people in his day, to neglect the fountain of life or in his case he called God, the fountain of living waters, was to be satisfied with broken cisterns that can hold no water.
Jeremiah 2:13 (ESV) — 13 for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.
That is a sad condition, but many are the people who neglect the teaching of God’s word, thereby neglecting the fountain of life. Have you taken of the water of that fountain of life? It’s better than the “fountain of youth” for which Ponce de Leon searched. This fountain is free, and it’s guaranteed to satisfy.
Isaiah 55:1–2 (ESV) — 1 “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.
This water of great fountain where you’ll find true satisfaction is said to flow from the throne of God.
Revelation 22:1 (ESV) — 1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
Consider then this fountain of life, light, and true satisfaction. Why would you look anywhere else? As good as the fountain is, the benefits are for those who come to the fountain and take of the goodness.
Revelation 22:17 (ESV) — 17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker
