The River Of Life

Elaine Utting

Thoughts inspired by a simple song:

Over the mountains and the sea
Your river runs with love for me
And I will open up my heart
And let the healer set me free
(I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever - Martin Smith)

We sang this song in a meeting recently. As we sang I had a picture of the Holy City, as it’s described in Revelation 21, made of gold, set with all kinds of jewels, and the main street made of gold ‘as pure as transparent glass’.

And in Revelation 22 the description continues:

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 its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
(Revelation 22 : 1-2)

In my picture the city was golden and shining, with the crystal river pouring from the city down towards us, full of life and light, and bringing healing. I saw that the love of God is expressed in that crystal river, flowing from the throne of God to us, bringing life and freedom.

And this happens because the throne is not just the throne of God, but also of the Lamb. And the Lamb is Jesus. All this life and healing is available to us because Jesus did what his Father asked of him. He gave his life on the cross.

And by accepting this, allowing him to show us where we’re wrong, admitting it, and receiving forgiveness, we are set right in our relationship to God, and we can receive the love he wants to pour out on us.

That first part of it is not so glorious. Facing the truth about ourselves can be uncomfortable and humbling. But when we’ve done it and accepted forgiveness, we not only feel set free in this life - we’re part of God’s plan for eternity too.

I’m happy to be in the truth
And I will daily lift my hands
For I will always sing
Of when your love came down
(I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever - Martin Smith)