Living River of Life

Journal 2005 10 11


The party camped at the confluence of the Clearwater and Snake Rivers last night. Historians haven’t been able to determine if they were in present Lewiston, Idaho or Clarkston, Washington. No matter, they were a long way from home and near to their destination. As is their pattern, the party “set out early and proceeded on.” Downriver!

At six miles they stopped for breakfast at some Indian lodges and purchased more provisions for their “stores” of fish and dog. Think of what it must have been like traveling in these crowded canoes with dried salmon and dead dogs loaded on them. Normal to men of the early nineteenth century. Repulsive to “modern” man.

If you’ve traveled in SE Washington along the Idaho and Oregon borders you’ve seen how stark the landscape is. It was the same way two hundred years ago. The lack of trees is most noticeable. What we don’t see, but the concept is still the same, is that the Indian life was lived along the river. Clark notes an underground sweat lodge and houses of slabs and split timber. Residences during fishing season. Even in a dry, desolate land life can be sustained by the river. And this is our jump off point for today.

God intends for us to live by the river. His river. The River of Life. We are to be planted like trees whose roots go deep and receive water from the river in all seasons. Living water suitable for quenching our thirst forever.

The river brings more water than one person needs. In that abundance it is used for drinking, bathing, watering crops and more. God provides abundant water for all our needs. Living water.

Jesus told a woman seeking water at a well that if she asked Him for living water that she would never thirst again. Are you thirsty? Do you drink water and leave unsatisfied? Then you are drinking the wrong kind of water. Jesus wants to ladle living water for you now that you may never thirst again because of the kind of drink He gives.

If you are living in a dry desert place, move to the river and find life.