[Friday's Devotional] - Rivers

We have saved the best till last!  Rivers are generally delightful things in the Bible. (With the exception of the Rivers of Babylon). The Israelites salvation story hinged on the crossing of two great 'rivers'. Ezekiel saw a river flowing out from the temple in a vision and the Bible ends with an image of the River of Life.

Rivers are a metaphor for blessings,

'I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys, I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs'.  Isaiah 41:18 [NIV]

Psalm 1 reminds us that the one who meditates on God's word is like a tree 'planted by streams of water'.  If we imagine a barren, dry Middle Eastern landscape, it is not hard to picture the lush green vegetation that grows up in the presence of water. Such a huge contrast! In this country, where we rarely experience the absence of water, we might overlook the huge difference water makes.  If nothing else reminds me about the reality and vitality that comes from water I can look at my poor neglected house-plants. I forget to water them until they are hanging limply over the edge of their pots and about to expire. The miracle of being watered only takes a matter of hours to transform them.

When did you last linger by the water's edge? Spending time with God reading his word is a way of drawing up life and vitality. Here is a challenge for this weekend: take one verse and commit it to memory, allow it to sink deep into your mind and ask God to let it reach your heart.

Lord, thank you that you want us to live fruitful lives, drawing in blessing from you and being a blessing to others. Forgive us for neglecting your word as a source of life. You desire to lead us and feed us by quiet waters, to restore our souls.  Open our hearts and minds to your word afresh.

Sheila Bridge