-Strength for Today- "Rivers of Living Waters." - John 7:38.

    The dictionary defines a river as being a large natural stream of water that’ll flow into a channel, sea, lake or another such stream. In other words, it can reach places which its sources will never know.  The point here from a spiritual point of view is that:

·       “A river can reach” beyond its natural boundaries’ or

·       Its natural intended flow.  

    And to this Jesus said, “He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living waters,” (John 7:38), for the purpose of reaching those whom He commissioned us to reach; even “to the end of the earth,” -Acts 1:8.  And regardless of how small the visible effects of our lives may appear to be, all of our working for God, is the out pouring of the Holy Spirit. Because we have nothing to do with the overflow. Why? Because as Jesus said, “This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent” – John 6:29. Matter of fact, God rarely allows a person to see how great a blessing He is to others.

    It then can be said that a river is a “continuous” “course” that can overcome all barriers, in spite of difficulty, or opposition.  Now for a while it’ll go steady on its course, but then comes to an obstacle.  For a while it is blocked:

·       But it soon makes a pathway around that obstacle, or it’ll  

·       Drop out of sight for miles,

    Only later to emerge again even broader and greater than ever. How often do we see God using the lives of people, but then an obstacle comes into your life and you don’t seem to be of any use to God. But when this happens, stay focused on the guiding purpose of the Holy Spirit, because God will either:

·       Take you around the obstacle or

·       He’ll remove it.

    The river of the Spirit of God overcomes all obstacles.  So don’t focus on the “obstacle” or the “difficulty”. Because the obstacle is always a matter of total indifference to the river that’ll flow steadily through you if you’ll simply remember not to:

·       Ever allow anything to,

·       Come between you and Jesus Christ,

    Because nothing in this universe must keep you or I from the supreme authority and purpose of God.

Author: Plez Lovelady, Jr., PhD