Analogy of the River: Holy Spirit's Work Among Men

1. Three Aspects of the River of God

A. The kingdom of God, which runs as a mighty river through the long history of mankind, rises and falls, ebbs and flows, according to the will of the Father as He responds to the activities of men. The history of revivals and awakenings, reformations and renewals, righteous revolutions and even the rise and fall of governments, indicate the presence of the River, and when we look back from eternity at how the River of God's kingdom ran throughout the timeline of man, it will be like viewing a mighty river from a jet window 35,000 feet in the air. From such a lofty position, one can see all the river's twists and turns as it winds its way to the ocean beyond some distant horizon.

B. The River is also a supernatural spiritual flow issuing directly from the throne of God (Revelation 22:1). People in every generation can do things that will attract or repel the powerful presence of the River, which then surges or diminishes in intensity and breadth according to the sovereign hand of God. The River is intended to flood the earth, carrying blessing and power to save, heal and deliver, but also to wash out stagnation and corruption. This flow can overtake a region without the hands or voices of anyone, and people will literally sense God's Presence permeating the very atmosphere round about. At other times it is the manifest presence of God weighing heavily on an assembly of grateful worshippers. Anointed praise, prayer, and the straightforward preaching of the Word of God cause the River's level to rise, and once it begins flowing at a higher level, powerful blessings begin to pour out in the church and beyond.

In the late 1800s, when Maria Woodworth Edder ministered in one town in Kansas , the spiritual water overflowed the riverbanks of natural church walls and was poured out throughout the community. One family was in their house ten miles away, minding their own business, when “Swoosh!” the convicting River rushed in and washed them all into the kingdom of God . No one was even on hand to preach to them!

When the mighty outpourings of the former and latter rains (Joel 2:23 ) begin to occur simultaneously in the last days, similar things will happen. People driving through certain communities where the River has overflowed its banks will suddenly feel the urge to pull to the side of the road and make things right with the Lord. It will be like it was in New York State when revival broke out under the ministry of Charles G. Finney in rural counties and townships. A sheriff from a neighboring district rode his horse to the town of Rome to take care of some official business. Once he entered the district over which Rome was the governing seat, such a great presence of the Lord began to hover about him that he was barely able to focus on his mission or, once in Rome , conduct his business in a collected and professional manner. The Glory of God in and around Rome was so intense that the beleaguered sheriff remained in a state of spiritual unrest and bordered on an emotional breakdown. It was not until he had finished his business and crossed back over the county line that he felt a lifting of the presence that had so unnerved him. Needless to say, he was unable to shake completely what he had felt, and so gave his heart to the Lord not many days after returning to his home district.

When the River of God is poured out in a region it is also like the revival in the Hebrides Island chain off the north coast of Scotland in 1949 and 50. Some people standing on the decks of passing ships swooned under the strong presence of the Lord as His Glory hovered over land and sea for many days and weeks during that intense season of revival.

The River of God also has the effect it did when Jesus went to Capernaum , in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, during His earthly ministry.

The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.

Matthew 4:16

The inflow of the River is like the dawning of a great morning light. The darker the night preceding the morning, the greater the dawning appears. In this verse, Matthew quotes from Isaiah 9:1-5, where the Old Testament author indicates that the Light of God's presence on a region will, 1. Multiply the harvest, 2. Increase joy, 3. Lift rods of oppression, and 4. Destroy yokes of bondage. And as Matthew 4:17 shows, whenever the Light has shown on a region, “the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” This means that God's kingdom is close enough to touch from where we stand. It is relevant, tangible and accessible. It cannot be ignored, wished away or legislated against, but is one that impacts every strata of society. It should be this way wherever and whenever the Lord's Light enters a region in a powerful way.

C. Finally, the River of God entails the power-flow emanating vigorously from the Spirit-filled hearts of committed disciples—from those who really believe in Jesus. Those who really believe in the Lord are sold out and highly motivated to make their lives count for God! They have counted the cost, burned bridges to the past, set their bows into the wind, and are after demonstrations of the kingdom that will captivate the attention of a dying world. Of these believers Jesus said, “Out of your bellies (or hearts) shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38 ). One translation says, “From their bellies shall gush torrents of living water.” I don't know about you, friend, but I prefer a gusher to a trickle, and I believe the Lord does as well. But before we examine this aspect of the River more closely, let us examine the anatomy of a river—a natural river—so that we might better understand the anatomy of the River of God .

2. Sections of a River

In all rivers—natural rivers, or the River of God —different sections can be found as the river winds it way over the distant horizon. In some places, not far from the springs that spawn them, rivers cut deep narrow ditches through the pastures and meadows of upland topography. Farther downstream, rivers flow swift and shallow across innumerable flat rocks, creating what we call ripples. Still other sections of a river run quiet and deep, hiding many blessings in their darkened depths. It is easy for us to linger beside still waters and reflect on the goodness and faithfulness of God. Our Shepherd loves to lead us beside such waters of rest, and restore souls that have been buffeted by the harshness of this fallen world (Psalm 23:2).

A little further downstream, where swift water runs through narrow canyons and mountain passes, rivers become the whitewater rapids that can sweep both people and things away. In God's River, it is this type of spiritual flow that often washes away disease and demons, raises the dead, or sweeps multitudes into the kingdom. It is this type of flow that impacts a region with God's presence, not allowing anyone to remain unaffected by its powerful presence. For those trained with a knowledge and appreciation of spiritual whitewater, this can be the most exciting section of the River of God . Many fear it, but whitewater enthusiasts love it!

We have in our meetings several people who love the whitewater rapids of signs, wonders and miracles. They aren't satisfied with the soft and gentle miracles that must be taken by faith, but they look for the loud, demonstrative kind that nobody can deny. They are thrilled when demons come out screaming, when the sick go down trembling, when sinners repent crying, and when holy laughter permeates the entire congregation. They are the ones who get the happiest, sing the loudest, laugh the hardest, cry the longest, and get the drunkest.

Others much prefer the deep and quiet waters of the River's slower sections. One can catch a nap beside these still waters. One can picnic here, rest in the shade, and wet several fishing lines at once. There is nothing wrong with the deep, quiet section of the River of God .

Something all rivers have in common is that as they approach the sea they broaden and become deeper. At some point along this passageway, life from the sea moves inland and meets life flowing from upland tributaries. Here, where the two join together, some of the greatest blessings abound. It is where Heaven and earth join together in one united song; where God's kingdom is at hand with power, glory and majesty; where angels pierce the diaphanous veil that separates the unseen from the seen, and where miracles seem to flow unhindered.

3. Benefits of a River

All rivers provide essential blessings for those who know how to harvest them. This is also true where the River of God is concerned. What are some of these blessings?

To the lost man, or to the pioneer penetrating new country, the advice is always the same—follow the stream. The river is the original forest highway. It is natures' own wilderness road.

Rivers are always going somewhere. Therefore, if you will follow the River of God , it will lead you somewhere. You may not always know what awaits you around the next bend, but if God's River is leading you, and you keep your faith anchored in Him, you will come to places where you need to be.

4. That Which Flows From our Hearts

Now I want to focus on the River of God as it flows from the hearts of committed believers. Again, let us examine the words of our Lord:

He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. John 7:38

And,

Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23

The issues of life, which flow from our hearts, are to bless humanity and advance God's purposes. We must, therefore, protect our hearts from every corrupting influence so that what flows out of us will be pure and life giving. In Matthew 15:18-19, Jesus explains that defilement comes from within a man. If this is the case, then the opposite of defilement, which is purity, comes from within a man as well. The character of a man's heart determines the kind of the water that flows from it.

I read the story of a town that was stricken with a plaque that was killing its people. After several days of tragedy, a group of men decided to head into the mountain above town to check out the spring, which produced its drinking water. When they got there, they discovered that a sow and several little pigs had fallen into the spring and drowned, and that their decaying flesh had contaminated the water, thereby sending death into the town below. Once they pulled the carcasses from the spring and thoroughly cleaned it up, the water was again safe to drink.

Our hearts are like the spring above that town. We therefore should examine them often to see what has fallen in. Is the water that issues from our hearts safe for drinking, or does it send forth death to all who would drink from it?

5. Give Gravity to the River

Give the river the gravity it needs! Light and dark, day and night are the same to a flowing stream. For it, only gravity matters.

—Edwin Way Teale

The unseen sources of the river, which are subterranean lakes and rivers; and the osmotic pressure used to force the water to the earth's surface, work together to release it through a series of springs. Such sources always do their part, but once the water spills out through springs, gravity must become involved, pulling the flow to lower places—places where the water is needed.

Like natural rivers, the River of God is always pulled in the direction of lower places—places where faith and humility beg to be filled. Five key factors that actually produce gravitational pull on God's River are the hunger, thirst, faith, obedience and desperation of needy people. Those who have an indifferent, take-it-or-leave-it attitude toward His provision rarely are satisfied. And those who view God's provision with skepticism or complaint are usually doomed before they begin. Naaman almost learned this the hard way when he got offended at Elisha for not ministering to him personally, and when he was told to dip in the dirty Jordan, rather than one of the rivers in his own country. (See 2 Kings 5:11 -14.) But those who recognize their deep need, and who reach out to the Lord in faith and obedience, are usually rewarded abundantly above all that they can ask or think. The spiritual gravity their humility produces powerfully affects the River, pulling it favorably toward them. For example, the hemorrhaging lady in Mark 5—hungry, thirsty and desperate as she was—actually created the gravitational pull that drew the River of God in her direction. Jesus actually felt power flow out from Him, and turned about in the crowd, asking, “Who touched me? I felt virtue flow out from me!” Although a great multitude surrounded the Lord on that particular day, this lady alone created the gravity necessary to pull the River from Him. But this not the only time this type of thing happened. Many other desperate people drew on God's power, and their stories fill the pages of the four gospels. There was blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10), the worshipful leper (Matthew 8), the woman at the well (John 4), the desperate woman from Syro-Phoenecia (Mark 7:25 ), and the multitude at Gennesaret (Matthew 14:34-36; Luke 6:19). The only ones who failed to access the River of God in Jesus' day were religious leaders and skeptics who were too blind, proud or faithless to tap into it.

One day as I was feeling blue about my ineffectiveness with some of the people in my hometown, the Lord explained to me that I was not responsible for everybody I knew or came in contact with. He said that I was only responsible for those who wanted to drink from the River flowing from my heart. “If they will not receive from you,” He said, “then don't worry about it. Their refusal is their problem.” This helped me, because I had been thinking it was my problem.

As my sense of failure melted away before this burning new revelation, the Lord stressed, “But if someone does desire to drink from your river, you are responsible to provide a strong, fresh flow from which they can drink. Yours is not to make them drink,” He reiterated, “but you are to see that if they come, there will be something there for them.”

This truth liberated me from all the feelings of guilt. I saw that whether the River is flowing from the heart of the individual believer, or from the throne room of God into an assembly, a city, or an entire region, the gravity that pulls it forth is always the same: it is the level of desperation in those with needs. The River's flow always depends on the faith, hunger, thirst and humility of those we want to reach. When these factors are present, the River will flow.

6. The Unsettling Nature of the River

There are many different reactions to the River of God as it flows through our meetings. As people shake or fall, laugh or cry, run or sit, dance or lay prostrate, the critics in the grandstands will exhibit a wide range of reactions. Such observers can rarely keep their opinions to themselves, but will rush quickly to judgment, scorn or mockery. I have found it very interesting to watch the whole scene. I have learned that it is very important not to rush to judgment when we see extreme behavior in River Glory, but wait to see what caliber of fruit comes from it.

In his book, Glory: When Heaven Invades the Earth, Bob Sorge describes a place where Glory has overflowed its banks and upset the status quo.

The truth is that God's glory is disruptive. It is untamed, uncontrollable, unstoppable and dangerously all consuming. It destroys agendas, calendars, service orders, song lists, and carefully devised plans. It frustrates, exposes, confounds, embarrasses and renders powerless the controlling mechanisms of church leaders. Glory is dangerous and revolutionary. It is explosive, undomesticated, volatile, divisive and evasive. Glory smashes in like a tidal wave, washing away the safety nets and lines of familiarity that have helped us feel secure. The clock might help to establish when the meeting starts, but it is useless in determining when the meeting might stop. Buildings become overcrowded, restrooms can hardly be kept clean, children seem to be everywhere, critics abound, and the neighbors complain.

How we respond to such a scene is very important. The correct response will encourage the River to continue its floodtide of blessing, while the wrong response may cut it off forever!

7. Different Reactions to River Meetings 

All types of people come to the River, but for various reasons and with a range of different responses. Regarding natural rivers, some people only like the shallow fast-running waters of the highlands, while others prefer rivers to be deep and broad like those near the ocean. While some people only like the fresh water of upland streams and tributaries, many others enjoy the expansive saltwater rivers and marshes of coastal regions. Educated and experienced outdoorsmen, however, know the value of every section of the river, and learn to benefit from all of it. As Christians, we too must learn to recognize all sections of the River of God, and train ourselves to take pleasure in all He has to offer in “the river of [His] pleasures” (Psalm 36:8).

* Some people value the River, while others can take it or leave it.

* Some people feel no compunction at all about throwing trash into the river and messing it up for everybody else. That is what one does when he criticizes what is happening in a river-move of God, or if he only comes to advance a selfish agenda.

* Some people like to play in the River; others like to lounge and reflect beside it. Some are like playful otters, while others are like sunning turtles. Some are like working beavers in the River, but they need to learn how to play as well.

* Some people become exhausted in the River; others simply rest on its shores. Those who become exhausted need to be vigilant, watching that they don't grow tired of the River altogether, or criticize those they perceive are not doing enough to help them.

* Some people love to splash at the water's edge; others like to dive deep.

* Some River-people are obnoxious, while others are deeply respectful and respected.

* Some people avoid the River altogether, while others can't stay away from it.

* Some fear the River's unseen currents, while others like to search them out (Isaiah 45:3).

* Some River-people are swimmers, some are divers, and some are floaters. There are others who are simple observers, some who are anglers, and some who like to pan for treasures.

* There are two types of rafters in the River of God : Some enjoy speed and high-octane excitement; others like to take their time and look for things.

* Some people like to dangle their feet in the water and that is extent of what they wish to experience. Others like to take the plunge, getting wet from head to toe. The danger is that when this type of person cannonballs into the River, they don't seem to care who gets splashed.

* Some people like to enter the River slowly, at their own pace, while others like to go in quickly. The quick sub mergers need to allow the others to enter at their own pace.

* All River people are prone to ridicule those who are different than they are. Calm water people find it easy to criticize the fast-water crowd, and vice versa. We must avoid this trap.

* Big river people are prone to look down on little river people. This must be avoided as well. The angler fishing for native trout in the mountains' upland tributaries finds just as much enjoyment as the angler trolling for rockfish near the bay or ocean.

* Those who enjoy deep, swift waters are prone to taunt those who only wade along the shoreline, and those who like the safety and comfort of the shoreline are tempted to view the deep-water crowd as arrogant and self-focused. Both attitudes displease the Lord of the River, and if we fuss and fume over which section of the River is best, or over which reaction to the River is the most pleasing to Him, He may dry up the whole thing! Let us remember that the Lord made the various temperaments and personalities that are found in His people, therefore He must enjoy them all. He also made all the sections of the River. Therefore do not judge as foolish or proud those who enjoy the rapids, and don't judge as asleep or religious those who prefer calmer waters. Be sensitive about the feelings and preferences of those around you. If you are shaking and laughing, and you see that it is causing a brother or sister to stumble, then try to control yourself. Conversely, if you are subdued and feeling reflective in the River, do not send forth vibes that tell your excited brother that you disapprove of his expressions of joy and excitement. Let everything be done with love and edification in mind. 

8. Hindrances to the Flow

All natural rivers have snags and deadfalls, whirlpools and eddies. These are

dangerous places that can cause all kinds of trouble for people. Snags are hazards hidden just beneath the water's surface that can catch things. Many people have been snagged by a submerged root, or a rock, and have been drowned. In the Church, many have been snagged and drowned by sin and taken out of the flow. Others have slammed into deadfalls, which are tangled masses of fallen trees and branches. Spiritual deadfalls are the tribulations and trials Satan designs to stop our forward progress. Whirlpools are places where we can be sucked down into a vortex of false doctrine and error. Paul warns us not to be “carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14 ).

An eddy is a current of water running contrary to the main current. These are often found off to the side of the river and can be seen flowing in a circular motion behind a log, a sandbar, or some other obstruction near the river's edge. Upon close examination, one can see a lot of pollution trapped in an eddy; therefore it is never a pure area of the river. It is like a little vortex of sin in a church, a small whirlpool of compromise or contrariness fouling up the character of the entire River. It may be a faction or a clique, which is separated from the main body and has succumbed to the deceptions that reproduce in such unattached places. Churches that have the River flowing through them must lookout for the formation of such eddies. People who are already quarreling with the issues of submission and personal holiness are prime targets for this type of trap. All they need is for something or someone to provide them with the opportunity to rebel. Once they are all gathered in one place, it is easy to confront them and terminate the eddy. Leaders may lose a few people in such an ordeal, but the potential for further damage to their church will be eliminated. We can see, therefore, that one positive thing about an eddy is that it helps identify those who have the potential to destroy our work at sometime in the future. It doesn't take long for pollution to get trapped in such a place, and once it is discovered, leaders can identify and clean out the corruption before it permeates the whole River.

9. Birthplaces and Riverbanks

There is a West Virginia county named Pocahontas, which lies due west of my Virginia county of Highland . This mountainous county has been dubbed “The Birthplace of Rivers,” because it contains the very headwaters of several mighty rivers with names like the Potomac , Ohio and Mississippi . Our own county of Highland has the highest mean elevation of any county in Virginia , and is the birthplace of the Potomac and James Rivers. We who live in these counties feel that the Lord has attached a spiritual significance to this, as we see His blessed River flowing out of our communities to the world. Through books, CDs, missions trips, etc. we long to be used to reach out to the nations.

All rivers begin somewhere, and the River of God is no different. Besides finding its source at the very throne of God, there is definite spiritual topography in the lives of Christians that the River flows toward, which in turn encourages its currents to flow over and through them to Heaven's purposes in the earth. Some of these are:

We should also realize that the topography of a region initially shapes a river, but as the river becomes stronger, it gains the potential to shape the topography over which it flows. This is what we desire from the River of God .

The hearts of people in a given region naturally create the spiritual typography over which the River of God flows. Where dishonor, doubt and unbelief prevail, “Jesus [can] do no mighty work there”— at least initially. (See Mark 6:4-6.) However, if a holy remnant is present, bombarding the spiritual principalities and powers in their region, pulling on Heaven for an outpouring, and proclaiming the Word faithfully, the River will increase enough to begin shaping the spiritual topography of the region. This is when irresistible outpourings and awakenings begin to occur.

10. Closing Thoughts

All River people must remember that there are times when we find ourselves facing uncomfortable waters that we do not enjoy. At such times we need to remember that all sections of the River are necessary. The Lord made all parts of the River, so we should make up our minds to enjoy the entire journey. He created the fast-flowing water, which cleans out and purifies stagnate holes. He created clean deep holes, which often hide great treasures. He wants us to search them out.

Remember this as well: Rivers have many shoals, moving sandbars, and downed trees and snags jutting out into the water. These things often shift and move, so things may not always be where you expect them to be. Therefore, be ready to shift when necessary. Don't be a person who has to stay where yesterday's waterhole was. You can crawl out of the River as quickly as you get into it, so don't be afraid to search out and try new sections of the River of God .

One more thing: If one is becoming more Christ-like in character, the River will flow favorably to and through him. But if he becomes more self-seeking, irritable and critical, it will avoid him. The River will neither flow toward him nor through him, and how tragic a life this turns out to be.