The River - Step on in!

Life over the past six or so years has been difficult. The doctor says I am disabled due to a chronic migraine-like headache. It presents something like a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Reading, writing, mental focus, and screen-time are virtually impossible for more than a few chunks of an hour each day. I am waiting for my healing!

I have taken to listening to the audio bible, voice-to-text for writing, and AI.  

Somewhere in the last year, I served at a church which provides meals for the poor and homeless. It's a small event and lasts about 45 minutes. In order to get a meal, participants listen to a short worship set and a five to ten minute message -- a sermonette. Then we end by praying for anyone who desires it.

I enjoy praying for others but was asked to deliver a short message. As I noted earlier, it's a challenge to study, compose, and even speak without an occasional stutter. I felt the Lord speak the word river. I recalled a time where I preached at a church outside in Brazil. Favelas are informal settlements that are often located on the outskirts of large cities. There are no buildings, but more of an encampment. 

Why would the Lord want to speak about the river in such dire living conditions?

I pulled out my phone during worship and searched on "river." The Lord highlighted all of these things found in the river. It was quite fascinating. In the Bible, rivers often symbolize a range of spiritual and theological concepts. Here are several key symbols associated with rivers, along with relevant Bible verses:

1. Life and Abundance

Rivers are often depicted as sources of life and nourishment, representing abundance and blessings from God.

Psalm 1:3: “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.”

Revelation 22:1 “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.”

2. God's Provision

Rivers can symbolize God's provision for His people, providing water for sustenance and life.

Isaiah 41:18 “I will open rivers on the bare heights, and springs in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.”

Psalm 46:4 “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.”

3. Cleansing and Renewal

Rivers can represent cleansing, renewal, and the washing away of sin.

Ezekiel 36:25 “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols.”

John 7:38 “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

4. Judgement

In some instances, rivers symbolize judgment or destruction, as seen in the context of God’s wrath.

Revelation 16:4 “The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood.”

Exodus 7:17 “This is what the Lord says: ‘By this you will know that I am the Lord: With the staff that is in my hand, I will strike the water of the Nile, and it will be changed into blood.’”

5. Spiritual Journey and Transformation

Rivers can also symbolize a spiritual journey, reflecting the path of life and transformation in faith.

Psalm 107:35 “He turns a desert into pools of water, and a parched land into springs of water.”

Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.”

6. Salvation
Exodus 2 salvation was found in the river by Moses.

7. A Place of Prayer

In Acts 13, the river was a place of prayer. 

8. Endless Supply

Ecclesiastes 1: "all the rivers run into the sea, and it isn’t supply because the sea is not full"

9. Miracles

The river was site of miracles.

Exodus 7: Aaron struck the water with his staff, and the water turned to blood.

Joshua 3: God made the Jordan River stop flowing so that the Israelites could walk across on dry land. The priests were told to step into the river with the Ark of the Covenant, and then the people followed.

2 Kings 6:1-7: While building a new dwelling, a disciple's ax head falls into the Jordan River. Then Elisha cuts a piece of wood and throws it into the water, causing the iron ax head to float.

10. Peace

In 2 Samuel 30, David was at peace by the river after a battle. 

11. God's Heavenly Presence

Isaiah 33 the Lord, will be with us in majesty at the river..

12. Refreshing

The river is refreshing.

Ezekiel 47:6-12 A river that brings healing and life to all living things, wherever it flows

13. Power

The river has power. Judges 5:21 the river swept away the Canaanite fighters during a battle with the enemies of Israel.  Here we can find strength and power in the River of God.

The river serves as powerful metaphors for understanding God's relationship with humanity and His continual provision and care.

When will I write again? I have no idea. Keep an eye out on Facebook.