Divine Deluge

Have you ever noticed that so many of the Christian musicians, songwriters and worship leaders that move us to worship seem fixated on the River. It comes up in their songs. They dwell there. They talk about it. It seems somehow personal for them, as if this river is part of their native country. Perhaps it is because the souls that lead us in worship must first worship for themselves. Their staple diet is inspiration. And this river bridges the gap between heaven’s joy and abundance and earth’s malaise. It carries something of paradise downstream. Some would say that is indeed the definition of inspiration.

Maybe we miss something if we abstract the river and treat it as a mere representation of something else. It’s not just theory. Ezekiel swam in it, and felt overwhelmed by its depth and power. It’s a real river – For most of us, most of the time entirely intangible, but this river is part of the unchanging landscape of heaven. It’s spiritual but real. A place to dwell in the spirit, and a place to be refreshed and revived.

When Christ touches our hearts in salvation, that awesome river flows with great power into our spirits. It is a testament to the resilience of the fleshly callouses that make our hearts hard, that they can withstand the pressure of this divine deluge.

Come with me to the river. In the shade of the thick foliage of the trees that line its banks, dwell with me awhile. Pluck a leaf from one of the trees. In your hand you now hold something with medicinal properties far surpassing anything found in earthly pharmacies. The leaves of the trees are for the healing of the nations. And that testifies to the character and potency of the River. The trees’ deep roots drink from that source and soak up its properties and power, until it oozes out of their leaves. Look and listen. This mighty waterway teems with life. I have never heard a worship song that celebrates the fish that leap from heaven’s great river.

Here is the thing – this river flows to us as an abundant source of healing, blessing provision and transforming power. It is a place to bring our pain and hurt and wounds. Shelter beneath the shade of its banks when the desert heat has become unbearable. This river brings heaven close when it otherwise feels so distant. Stoop down and take provision and sustenance from its waters. Go back to the barrenness of your circumstances with your hands full.

The river brings the kingdom of heaven within us . . . into our innermost being. It is yours and mine. We own the glory and wonder of the River because it flows with great power into our spirits. The shade of its banks, those healing leaves, and the provision that teems beneath its waters – They are all ours. A stretch of this glorious waterway is our very own – A gift from heaven.

I lived in want, so broken, and so exposed to circumstances. I nearly perished from thirst with the River always within my reach.