FOUR RIVERS, THREE SOURCES

Water is abundant in this world. It seems to be the sustaining element in our existence. The Earth is covered by 71% salt water, 2.5% fresh water. Our bodies are made up of mostly water. The adult male consists of approximately 60% water. It is in our necessities (cookware, toilet and bath). It is also in our accessories (pools, water-guns, etc). Water is everywhere. Yet we fail to stop and consider the source many times. Where is our water coming from? 

We could ask this about our spiritual source of water also.  F.W. Robertson (1816-1853) made me contemplate this when he said -

• "Love descends, not ascends. The might of the river depends not on the quality of soil through which it passes, but on the inexhaustibleness and depth of the spring from which it proceeds."

In Mr. Robertson's quote, the "might of the river" is what is in question. He says that the power of a river is dependent upon continued supply of water ("inexhaustibleness") and how far the water has to travel within the spring to gain speed enough to be a mighty river ("depth of the spring"). God as our source of spiritual water is everlasting and He is deep so that when He reaches our situations - He is mighty to the pulling down of strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4).

There are three other rivers in life - yourself, the enemy and the world. For the river called yourself, you get yourself as the source. Paul talks about the muddied-waters that one has to deal with if you depend upon yourself in Romans 7. In addition, once you are spent, that is all you have for yourself and others - a limited supply. 

For the other two rivers called the enemy and the world, you get Lucifer as the source. In John 12:31, 14:30, and 16:11 we see that the world has over it a prince. In Ephesians 6:10 we see an enemy, the devil, we have to be armed spiritually to fight. This same devil is that prince over the world. And while many fight the good fight (1 Tim. 6:12), there are others who trust, drink and flow in these rivers and from these sources.

These three rivers will run dry - yourself, the enemy and the world. Sole dependencies upon these will result in your own life as a dried-up riverbed. Scripture encourages the Christian in Colossians 3:17 -

• "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Believers cannot take care of themselves, their family, the family of God and minister to the lost/hurting if we are turning to another water source. Paul, in his second letter to Timothy spoke about this turning being a problem of the "last days".

• "...having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people." (2 Timothy 3:5)

Notice the admonishment - "Have nothing to do with such people." I believe  1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 is close to fulfillment. Until then, Christians do yourselves and others good by going to see The Man at the well. Let Him give you water, you'll never thirst again (John 4:1-42). Plus, as F.W. Robertson adds, "We win by tenderness; we conquer by forgiveness." Pour out to others from the river of life that is flowing in from God.

When retrieving spiritual sustenance for yourself and/or to disperse to others - there is none better than Christ Jesus through His Holy Spirit. No other water is richer in that it benefits you more. No other water creates such a positive change as we drink from it daily. No other water is so pure, this speaks to the quality of the water. No other water is ever-flowing this reflects directly on the Water-Source, the Well-Spring of Life - the Eternal God.

Unlike, the Four Rivers in Genesis 2 which all flowed from the same source, a river in Eden made by God, spiritually there are four options for your life to flow from - yourself, the enemy, the world or God. In which source will you trust, drink and flow?