The river of the Spirit

“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the most high dwell” echoes Psalms 46, in respect to the phenomenon of the spiritual life found in heavenly Zion – God’s abode.

Ezekiel amidst his visions of the temple foresees an unusual occurrence. The temple was overrun with water. Not just a little splash of water, but a tumultuous amount amassing into a vast river that was too wide to swim across.

John 7:38, portrays one of Jesus temple outbursts, his words again speak of the river, for he says, “whoever believe in me out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water”.

Revelation 22, reveals yet again a picture of heaven, where the river flows in the midst of the heavenly Jerusalem, bringing life, administering healing to the nations.

What is this river? Why is there a sense of its being related to God’s temple? Does it have significance for us today?

An encounter with the river, simply stated is an encounter with the spirit of God. While salvation invites God’s spirit, the river does not stop here. The river is simply a manifestation of God’s spirit that produces fruit in whatever capacity it is featured. No wonder Ezekiel sees the river reviving the deadness in the Arabah (dry places) of Palestine, while desalting the Dead Sea in order for fresh water fish to teem.

What are the dry places in your life? Are there areas that no one knows about, and you would like to forget about? Do you need a touch from the everlasting Holy Spirit? God likens his presence to a river because of the life giving qualities embodied in the river. The river brings life in so many ways, ranging from watering farmland to hosting fish for fisherman to farm, earning existence for themselves while providing food for others. An overflowing river was equated with a boisterous economy, sufficient trade, and abundant living.

God wants you to experience his river. The woman at the well in John 4, though she went to fetch water, was filled with God’s river. As she believed in Christ, the river of the Spirit washed away her sins. This new cleanliness refreshed her neighbours, who also pursued this river offered in Christ. When the disciples received the Spirit in Acts 2 this was also a manifestation of the river. They were so filled with life, that it bubbled over into an ecstatic utterance of heavenly origins, their spirits communicated with God’s spirit in a new language. The river of God was ushering them into a deeper dimension of the spirit.

What is your experience with the river? Have you experienced it ever. If so , is the river fresh in your spirit, or is it only a historic experience. Ephesians 5:18 intimates God’s desire is to constantly fill you with his river. As I write this article I feel his river. I can almost hear the water of the spirit lapping ever so gently on its river banks. I drink up his spirit with deep refreshing gulps. Knowing his spirit means things will be ok. Come the storms, temptations, trials, naysayers, etc, God’s river instils peace that’s synonymous with the serenity fostered in any nature lover gazing at a curvy flowing river on a bright summery day.

Are you thirsty? May you crave the river. Are you filled? May you want more. Let the river of God flow into you, but let it not stop there. Let others around you sense God’s presence in you. Did you know others are sovereignely placed around us as river water level indicators. People innately seem to sense if the river is flowing in us. Are you patient, kind, gently, peace loving? Or do things get you down, causing you to lose your peace often? Do you find ministry a joy, or a never ending burden? Step into the river with me today. Pause in your busy day. Step aside from your routine . Catch a God breath, talk to him even for a couple minutes, say “Lord I crave your river”. “I need you to fill me with your presence”. Then relax and see what God will do.