Find Me By The River

Years ago, we went to a festival in the park. There were artists, food vendors and music. As I strolled around, I came across some eye catching artwork depicting the Garden of Eden and Creation. Flowing through the garden was this peaceful, welcoming river. As I stared at the painting, I could imagine sitting peacefully there listening to the water flowing. “A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters.” (Genesis 2:9-10)

As I think about the busyness of life and the craziness of the past year, my heart longs for a place to just be. A place where all cares drift away and you can sit in peace. You can lay back in the cool grass, smelling the sweet fragrance of flowers and fruit trees. No troubles are here, no incessant chatter, no worries are here.

This is the perfect place where your mind is free and relaxed, and your heart is free and open. It is by the river where you can empty yourself of the world’s pressures and dig your toes into the soft ground. If you are still long enough, if you wait patiently, you’ll hear the footsteps of Jesus approaching. He sits with you, listens to your heart, and speaks life into you.

You see, this place is holy and the Lord dwells here. “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.” (Psalm 46:4) He sits by the river every day waiting for you. The sun is never too hot and the breeze is never too cold. The water is cool to the touch and like honey to the taste. He’s always available to walk or sit with you.

I understand what David meant when he said, “He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul” in Psalm 23. There are no storms and dashing waves by the river, just peace. David knew the importance of taking time to be with the Lord alone by the waters because our souls get weary and need to be restored, filled by the mighty hand of the Lord.

My friends, we all need some time by the river. Time to meet with Jesus and empty our souls of the weariness and busyness of this life. Although the garden of Eden is no longer here on earth, we have the Holy Spirit to lead us to the river, right to Jesus.

Whatever you’re feeling right now or whatever you may be facing, take a moment to break away and go to the river. You can get there through praise, through worship, through meditating on the Word, or through prayer. You can go alone or take a friend. But however you decide, just go. You will be filled to overflowing, spilling out over others. You’ll be encouraged and strengthened.

So if you are looking for me, you’ll find me by the river sitting with Jesus. Come join me! And then when He returns, we will sit with Him together face to face.

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding the fruit every month.” Revelation 22:1-2

“On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer.” Acts 16:13

“Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” John 7:38

Prayer

Jesus,

As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after You. Blessed is the one who trusts in You, whose confidence is in You. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Lord search my heart and examine my mind, reward me according to my conduct, according to what my deeds deserve. Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Amen!


Photo by Ladyfern Photos on Unsplash

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