River of Life

Rivers offer much to the people who live on their banks. They bring water to thirsty people. Their water is used for household tasks such as washing clothes and floors. Many parts of the world use river water for irrigation, so they are important to farmers producing food. Sometimes rivers provide a mode of transportation. Industries often build along rivers because they need the water a river brings.
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A river’s importance was perhaps even more apparent in Biblical times than today. Although Abraham’s nephew Lot had traveled with his uncle, there came a time when they were too prosperous for the land to support both. Abraham—knowing he was blessed to be a blessing—offered Lot first pick, and Lot chose the valley of the River Jordan. He looked down and saw it was a well-watered plain. (Gen. 13)

Throughout the Bible, rivers provide an analogy for God’s blessing. A psalmist said, There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God. (Ps. 46:4 NIV) Although people who trust God are not immune to problems, they can turn to Him. And He becomes their personal life-giving river.

Originally published June 8, 1984.

He Had to Humbly Submit

Everyone is important in the eyes of God, but people long to feel or experience the value they have in Christ. And they can. Although Satan tries to destroy people, God knows how to honor the humble—and humble the honored—without destroying the self-esteem of either.

This happened to a little, unnamed slave girl and her master.

The master was Naaman, commander of the Syrian army. Under normal conditions he might scarcely have noticed the young member of his household. But he had a great need—he was afflicted with leprosy—so he listened to her message: “If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria!” she said. “For he would heal him of his leprosy.” (II Kings 5:3 NKJV)

However, when Naaman pursued miraculous healing he discovered that God’s power didn’t respond to someone because of position or wealth. Instead, he had to humbly submit to instructions from an obscure servant of God. He was told to dip his body in the Jordan River. And when he obeyed, his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child. . . . (v. 14)

Although Naaman’s ego was punctured, he did not doubt his value before God. Neither did the little girl who launched him on his journey.

Originally published October 18, 1991.

Picture: Flowers in Como Park Conservatory, 2008. Photo by Solveig.