December 8
Bible Reading: Revelation 7
Revelation 7:17, “For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
I was with my orthopedic surgeon. We had discussed my aching knees and decided that the best thing for now would be a shot in each knee. As she was preparing the injection, she asked me to describe to her one of my favorite places. So, I described for her my experiences of steelhead fishing along the scenic North Umpqua River. Distracted in thought, she then jabbed the needle into my knee joint! That distraction didn’t work so well on the second knee! I love rivers. Always have. I’ve hiked, fished, boated, and gazed at many of them. Some of my fondest memories are of fishing in Oregon creeks and rivers. It’s as if God instilled in me a love of rivers. But better yet, He’s put in my soul a love for a river of living waters.
From beginning to end, a river runs through the Biblical narrative. The creation account speaks of “a river that flowed out of Eden to water the garden” (Genesis 2:10). The last chapter of the Bible speaks of the “river of the water of life, bright as crystal” which will flow through the New Jerusalem (Revelation 22:1). Even in the Bible’s middle, the Psalmist spoke of a river that makes glad the city of God (Psalm 46:4).
According to the rule of threes, a person can survive three minutes without air, three days without water, and three weeks without food. But spiritually speaking, we cannot survive for three seconds without from Jesus. Whether we realize it or note, we are all in desperate need of Him. The great lie of sin—and those who cheer its cause—is that we can manage or thrive somehow apart from a relationship with our creator. In sin, we endeavor to fill the gaping hole in our heart (that is satisfied only by rightly relating to God) with worldly fare. It is as St. Augustine once said, “Thou hast made us for Thyself and our hearts are restless until we find rest in Thee.” He alone can satisfy the thirst of our soul. Our passage speaks to that provision.
In his vision, John saw “a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne” (Revelation 7:9). We are not left to wonder who these folks are, for the text tells us: “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation” (Revelation 7:14). Not to be confused with the church age saints, who were previously raptured, these tribulation saints will face unprecedented and unimaginable suffering and persecution. But God will reward them, giving them purpose and shelter and protection and comfort (Revelation 7:15-17). Amongst these blessings, we are told that God will also “guide them to springs of living water” (Revelation 7:17).
And it seems as if God is always working to guide us so. He is the Shepherd “who leads beside still waters” (Psalm 23:2). Through the prophet Jeremiah, God exhorted His people because they had “forsaken (him) the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water” (Jeremiah 2:13). This is the same living water promised by Jesus to the woman at the well (John 4:10-11). And to all who would believe in Him (John 7:38). If you are a believer, you’ve got “rivers of living water” flowing out of your heart through the indwelling Spirit (Revelation 7:38).
Make note of the promised blessing to these beleaguered folks — “He will guide them to springs of living water” (Revelation 7:17). They had faced horrific trials (Matthew 24:21). Loss and heartache and grief and sickness and tears and death had marked their days! But God then guided them to springs of living water. As he had before, on countless occasions, to needy souls in every dispensation. There are beautiful rivers on this planet—they are life-giving in their own way—but the great need of every soul is the abundant provision of eternal life bound up in the person of Jesus Christ! How good it is that we have a God who is able to guide us out of the desert of our hurts and sorrow to the healing waters of His comfort and provision!
“Spring up, O Well, within my soul! Spring up, O Well, and make me whole!”
Shall we gather at the river,
Where bright angel feet have trod;
With its crystal tide forever
Flowing by the throne of God?
Yes, we’ll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river;
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.
LookingtoJesus 