The Hebrew words used in scripture are "libneh" or "livneh" and "livenim", meaning white.

The deciduous leaves of the poplar are shiny-green on top and snowy white-woolly beneath, varying from rounded heart to oblong in shape.

A notable characteristic of the white poplar is that it is well known for the fact that its roots grow rapidly toward any water in the vicinity. In fact, many cities actually have ordinances against planting of poplars along their streets due to the fact that their roots will so quickly seek out underground water facilities.

We, like the poplar, are called to seek out water, living water, which Jesus describes in his encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well in the Gospel of John.

⁷There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." ⁸(For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) ⁹The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?" (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) ¹⁰Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." ¹¹The woman said to him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? ¹²Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock." ¹³Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty forever. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:7-14 (ESV)

The water that Jesus describes is not only freely given for our consumption and fulfillment, but is ultimately destined for others.

³⁷On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. ³⁸Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" John 7:37-38 (ESV)

This filling and subsequent outpouring of living water is not a one time event, it is continuous! In Jack Hayford’s book, “Living the Spirit Formed Life” he expounds on how these rivers can manifest themselves in our lives:

• Rivers of Worship and Praise – On the Day of Pentecost, the followers of Christ "were all filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:4) claiming "the wonderful works of God." (Acts 2:11)
• Rivers of Witness – Bringing a vibrant readiness in the believing disciple to joyously tell others about Jesus. (John 15:26,27)
• Rivers of Ministry – Flowing to people who are in pain and in need of Divine grace from Spirit filled believers. (Mark 16:17,18)
• Rivers of Gifts – The manifestation of His presence by the distribution of gifts according to His will. (1 Cor 12:7-11)
• Rivers of Intercession and Prayer – Advancing the Spirit filled disciple in power through prayer. (Rom 8:26,27)
• Rivers of Fruitfulness – The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Gal 5:22-23)
• Rivers of Peace and Strength – Spirit enabled prayer. (1 Cor 14:4)
• Rivers of Revelation – Bringing fresh vision and insight as to God’s purpose in our lives. (Eph 1:18)

It is through this outpouring of living water that we, through our living testimony, fulfill our call. It is my prayer that we may be that living testimony and be filled with living water so that we, in turn, can pour it out on to others.

In His service,