A River whose streams make glad!

"It's a holy moment!" There’s nothing like those moments when I feel the Presence of the Spirit fill my heart. It happens in the strangest places to me; while I’m driving and praying, when I hear a child pray with such an enviably simply faith, etc. Usually, when the Lord comes near, I cannot stop the tears that well up and spill from my eyes as though to wash the dust of doubt from my vision! I love those 'holy moments.' Each time I experience one, I long for Him more.


When the sorrows of our broken lives leave us dry and thirsty for Him, when we see the barrenness of this world’s promise and we realize that the things we thought would bring us such satisfaction are nothing more than a mirage, the Spirit asks us to look to Him. When we fall down in broken humility asking only for His comfort, we open the door of our lives to an inflow. "Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone." (Psalm 33:22, NLT)

Life surely has its quota (and maybe more) of problems and challenges. When we feel that we are about to be overwhelmed by fatigue or fear, we must look up. He will be there; and in His Presence, there will be a fresh flow of life to renew us in mind, body, and spirit.
A beautiful Psalm calls us to Him.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. (46:1-4)
Do you see the contrasts in that passage?
The endless ebb and surge of the ocean’s waves are a symbol of the discontent and lack of rest that are so common in life. The sea's fearsome power cannot be contained when high tides and storms bring the waves crashing over the beaches. Humanity's sin creates chaos and destruction. There is great tumult in the crashing waves of war, economic dislocation, and personal sin that are stirred by the devil. But there is also a River. Rivers are sources of renewal. Where they flow there are ribbons of life, a fact that was especially noticeable in the acrid climate of Israel. God's mercy and His Spirit, flow into our lives and bring life. If He is invited to make His home in us, the river of His grace will create gladness.

Disciple, do you need ‘a holy moment’ just now? Is your life as chaotic as a tempest-tossed ocean? Turn off the radio. Set aside the computer. Shut off the TV. And, ask the Spirit to come, like a river, bringing the renewal of His Presence, the hope of life everlasting.

Here is a word from the Word. Let’s be among those who ‘delight in the Lord!’
"Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or
stand in the way of sinners or
sit in the seat of mockers.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers." (Psalm 1:1-3, NIV)

_______________________________

There is a river that flows from deep within.
There is a fountain, that frees the soul from sin.
Come to the water,
There is a vast supply.
There is a river that never shall run dry.

There came a sound from heaven
As a rushing mighty wind.
It filled their hearts with singing,
And gave them peace within.
The prophet gave this promise,
The Spirit will descend.
And from your inner being a river with no end.

There Is A River
Sapp, David / Sapp, Max
© 1969 David Sapp Ministries CCLI License No. 810055