Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the historic one-year lectionary.
"There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God" (Ps. 46:4a, ESV). As a resident of the central part of the United States, rivers are a natural part of my life. The Missouri, the Mississippi, the Ohio - these three rivers have been instrumental in bringing food, communication, and prosperity to millions of people. The rivers' streams bring gladness.
God's presence, as the commander of the rivers, brings gladness. It is in him that we live and move and have our being. He is the security of his people.
Not all is well, however, in this river basin. In verse six there is contention. The nations are raging, and they rage against God.
Have you ever experienced a river in flood? Even a small creek can become a rushing torrent which will wash away anything that comes in contact with it.
In the same way, God, the mighty ruler of all, uses the same water of the Holy Spirit to bring joy to His people and to remove the corruption of his enemies. He brings desolations (v. 8) to the end of making an end of wars.
The prayer of the Christian, then, is that we would receive the living water of the Holy Spirit with joy and delight.
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