There is a River

Sometimes, even in the midst of confusions, troubles, and the questionings of life, deep down inside there can be a pure stream, a holy river that flows.  It’s a river of joy.  It’s a river of peace.  It’s a river of God that stirs within us a longing for the eternal.  It’s a river that cries out, as deep calls to deep, to be united with God, to know that we were created to be with Him and to be like Him.

On our soulish level of existence, our minds can be plagued by doubts, fears, and unanswered questions.  Our hearts can be weighed down by disappointment, anxiety, anger, or bitterness.  At the least, our hearts can be burdened by sighs of regret, and longings for so much more.  Yet, despite it all, there is a river which flows. 

Psalm 46 says, “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God…” (vs. 4)  The Psalmist says that “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (vs. 1)  The earth may give way, the mountains may fall into the sea, the waters may roar and foam, the nations may be in uproar, the kingdoms of the earth may fall, but where God is there is peace.  God is our fortress and strength.  He is our help in time of need.  We can be still and know that He is God. (see Ps. 46)

Whatever you are going through now, know this:  There is a joy and a peace which transcends your earthly experience.  There is a longing of the Spirit which calls you higher and draws you deeper.  In the midst of the most troubling circumstances we can find ourselves drawn deeper into His presence, closer to His heart, and our Spirits expanding higher into greater measures of His glory. 

Psalm 46

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth.  A song.

God is our refuge and strength,
   an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
   and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
   and the mountains quake with their surging. 

Selah

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
   the holy place where the Most High dwells. 

God is within her, she will not fall;
   God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
   he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The LORD Almighty is with us;
   the God of Jacob is our fortress.
                         Selah

Come and see the works of the LORD,
   the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
   he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
   he burns the shields with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God;
   I will be exalted among the nations,
   I will be exalted in the earth.”

The LORD Almighty is with us;
   the God of Jacob is our fortress.
                         Selah