Joyful water cascading
from God’s holy throne.
Currents of cleansing
that scour my face.
Heaven’s outpouring
of love and of grace.
Anointing me
forever His own.
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. Revelation 22:1
There is a river,
arising from the throne of God.
Where those who plunge into its cascading current
shine forth with the glory of the Lord.
All our shame and sorrows are dashed upon the rocks.
The shadow of darkness yields before its tumult.
In its sparkle, the beauty of the Lord will be the light of life.
There is a river,
of living water that will never run dry.
The clear water brings nourishment to produce wonderful fruit:
Fruit of God’s goodness
Fruit of God’s love
Fruit of God’s peace
Fruit of God’s kindness
Fruit of God’s faithfulness
Fruit that makes all creation rejoice.
to the praise of the Lamb upon the throne
There is a river,
of holiness, righteousness, and justice.
The proud cannot stand,
the impure cannot defile.
All ungodliness is crushed in the surge
Never to be heard from again.
There is a river,
flowing with the love of God.
Streams of grace giving water,
to heal our broken lives,
to wash away our stains,
Bathing us in the hope of the glory of God.
Jesus is the river,
in which we can dance, one with the water.
Splashing in God’s joy over us,
and roaring with creation,
our joy in Him.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells. Psalm 46:4
… we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:2
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. Revelation 22:1
Life will take you to some rough water.
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24
As the world swirls in pandemic turmoil,
My hope is in the Lord.
As the economy topples into depression,
My hope is in the Lord.
As I struggle with temptation,
My hope is in the Lord.
As I try to calm my anxious thoughts,
My hope is in the Lord.
As I worry for my family,
My hope is in the Lord.
As evil seems to have its way,
My hope is in the Lord.
We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you. Psalm 33:20-22
Write your own difficult trial on paper and follow it with—my hope is in the Lord. This little exercise really does help.
Each drop exactly where God put it to be.
For many people around the world, the current pandemic has produced chaos and fear concerning life. Jesus has warned us that trouble would happen.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
It is good to know we can have courage because Jesus is in control. Even the hairs on your head are numbered (Matt. 10:30).
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
If God controls the drops of water cascading down a stream, we can trust Him in this time of chaos, for nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:35)
Icicle Creek persevering to the Pacific Ocean
But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. Luke 8:15 NIV
It takes perseverance to produce a crop. Why doesn’t God just click His fingers?
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus… Romans 15:4-5 NAS
God encourages us to persevere. But how does perseverance produce hope?
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:3-5 NIV
Perseverance is a word I don’t want to hear because it means waiting and bearing up under difficult circumstances. I certainly prefer convenience, not perseverance. But God makes enduring hardship part of a believer’s life. I can either trust that He knows what I need and will help me, or go my own way.
You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. Matthew 7:13-14
On second thought, maybe it is God who perseveres with me.
Water flowing around rocks
“Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” Exodus 34:14
This is actually very reassuring for it means God works in our lives to keep us following Him. He will not stand for our worship of anything else. It also means God is there when we get on our knees and pray.
When I am anxious and ask for help, He is there.
When I am sad and cry out, He is there.
When I feel the pull of temptation, He is there to give me strength.
When I am joyous, He is joyous with me and will guard me from falling into hedonism.
He is always leading me to Himself.
When the world is falling down around me He is my rock, my refuge, and my savior.
In all my ways God keeps me for Himself.
Knowing this brings forth thanksgiving and praise.
I can take a deep breath in His closeness and rest in worship of my God.
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation.
He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—
from violent men you save me.
I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and I am saved from my enemies.” 2 Samuel 22:2-4
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. Isaiah 43:2
This morning I was reading from the end of Jeremiah, where Jeremiah is warning the Israelites not to run off to Egypt. They instead are told to remain in Israel to be taken into captivity by Babylon. In other words it is better to go into captivity with God than to seek refuge anywhere without God.
This is a hard lesson to grasp, but so very important.
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
than great treasure and trouble with it.
Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is
than a fatted ox and hatred with it. Proverbs 15:16-17
For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than live in the tents of wickedness. Psalm 84:10
I find that this day is better because God is with me. This blessing is not found in anything else (not in vacation trips, not in winning the lottery, not in great acclaim, not in anything I can imagine). As I meditate upon this fact it changes my perspective for whatever I’m doing. I begin to worship taking a deep breath of the joy in this moment, for my joy is God being with me.
Bouncing water like bouncing prayers
Sometimes my prayers feel like this whitewater––my mind bouncing from one thing to another. Very small prayers that don’t go very high. Fortunately, prayer is not about my ability, but upon God’s.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
On the edge with Mountain Penstemon
These Mountain Penstemon cling to a steep edge along the Icicle Creek, living life in a precarious place. Sometimes my life feels like these wildflowers––I am just barely hanging on. Psalm 33 is given to us for such times.
A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.
But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, Psalm 33:17-18
Great wealth cannot save.
Great intelligence cannot save.
Great beauty cannot save.
Great power cannot save.
Instead put your hope in Jesus, the unfailing love of God, whose sacrifice brings us unassailable deliverance from our worst fears.
Dancing in the water
This scene only came to my attention when I stopped…and sat…and waited. Initially I was bored and saw nothing. Finally, I asked God to open my eyes and allow me to see. Slowly I began to sense the deeper rhythms of the stream. I heard the churning of the water against the rocks, then the call of birds overhead, followed by a chattering squirrel upset by my presence. Breathing in I noticed the fragrance of cedar boughs, and finally became entranced by the branches playing in the fast moving water perpetually dancing before the Lord. The joy in that moment returns even now, looking upon this scene I give thanks.
Prayer is like that. It is only when I stop and wait that I begin to perceive what God has for me. To read and meditate upon the Bible letting the Holy Spirit slowly direct my thoughts. It becomes wonderful dance of me with my creator. Unfortunately, as the day progresses my mind gets sidetracked, fretting about so many things. I must restart the process again, waiting on the Lord trying to catch His rhythm. Thankfully God never tires of waiting for me.
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
For evil men will be cut off,
but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. Psalm 37:7-9
Stephen L Hufman 