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| Niagara Falls |
'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.' Revelation 22:1
Anyone who visits the Niagara Falls will be overwhelmed by the immense, never ending stream of overflowing water. Long before one reaches the falls, one will become soaked by the heavy mist that arises from the force of the waters spilling over the banks of the Niagara river at the border between Canada and the United States. Visiting the falls for the very first time in 1991, I was so overcome by the sight and sound that copious tears swelled up in my eyes. Some say that it was a natural response to the presence of God in nature.
On 10 May 2020, in a comment on this blog, Lee Soon Ghee shared his inspiration at reading Ezekiel 47: 1, 3-5.
'I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple toward the the east.....As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits, and then led me through water that was ankle deep. he measured off another thousand cubits and led through water that was knee deep. He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was up to the waist . He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, but now the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in - a river that no one could cross.'
In this bible passage, Ezekiel saw streams of water coming out from the threshold of the temple. But the streams soon became a gush, then a flood and finally a deluge. The sight facing Ezekiel was of the increasing and overwhelming amount of water with depths at first ankle deep, then knee deep, waist deep and finally over the head requiring the prophet to swim.
Lee Soon Ghee wrote, "This speaks to me about our relationship with the Holy Spirit. It gets deeper and deeper as one matures in the faith. It talks about the need for us to interact with the Holy Spirit in increasing intensity and immersion; being overwhelmed such that we can wade but be carried away by the current/strength of the movement of the river simultaneously. Finally, it talks about letting oneself be carried by the river, swimming along with the Holy Spirit, and perhaps not knowing where it will lead one to, but always trusting and believing."
What a lovely understanding of a life filled with the Spirit. Such waters represent the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ said,
'Whoever believes in me, as Scriptures has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them. By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believe in Him will later to receive.' John 7: 38-39
The Holy Spirit comes on us like a river, purifying and cleansing us. Grace flows to and through us who believe in Jesus as Lord and Saviour. That water is
- Life Saving
- Life Sustaining
- Life Empowering
John Wimber, a charismatic preacher and pastor, wrote an excellent song, the 'Spirit Song' about this grace and experience. In a very gentle and refreshing tune and manner, this song describes the relationship between the Triune God and us. It highlights a certain gentleness in that relationship, a sweet surrender to God. As one listens to the gentle flow of the music, like the gentle flow of water, one becomes immersed in the saving, sustaining and empowering grace of the Holy Spirit.
Oh let the Son of God enfold you
With His Spirit and His love
Let Him fill your heart and satisfy your soul
Oh let Him have the things that hold you
And His Spirit like a dove
Will descend upon your life and make you whole
Jesus, oh Jesus
Come and fill Your lambs
Jesus, oh Jesus
Come and fill Your lambs
Oh come and sing this song with gladness
As your hearts are filled with joy
Lift your hands in sweet surrender to His name
Oh give Him all your tears and sadness
Give Him all your years of pain
And you'll enter into life in Jesus' name
Lionel
