Drink From the River

(Psalms 46:4-7) There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

(Revelation 22:1-3) 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 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.

Prior to the time of the industrial revolution, the major consideration in deciding where to settle was proximity to water. This, of course, was due to the fact that water is the sustainer of life. In addition to the sustaining of human life, it is necessary for livestock and farming alike. The preference was always a stream or river of some type because moving water meant a constant supply and a constant replenishment. To settle in a place where there was no water readily available was considered by all to be foolish and almost assured failure.

The Lord describes Himself as the river of the water life. He has used water, especially flowing water, to illustrate Himself, His presence, and His life-giving attributes, throughout scripture. To settle or abide, even for a short period of time anywhere but as close to the Lord as you can possible get, is nothing short of foolishness. Those who dwell or stray away from the Lord, like those who settle far from water, inevitably become thirsty, parched, and will die. Dwelling near the Lord and drinking from His river provides the life sustaining elements to produce the good fruit God intends for your life.

Drinking from the river of the water of life is done through the reading and studying of God's Word, communing with God individually and corporately on a daily basis, and worshipping Him in spirit and in truth. Today, stay close to the river and drink deeply of the sparkling water from the Lord God Himself.

Questions For Discussion

Why do you think the Lord uses water to describe Himself?

Why do believers stray away from or settle far from the river?

In what way can you drink from the river of the water of life?