It’s been 23 years since I was there, but I don’t recall seeing any water in the city. Had the opportunity to do a Holy Land tour back in ’97. Went to Jerusalem. Didn’t see a river. So what’s the songwriter talking about?

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.

(Psalm 45:4 ESV)

The city of God, isn’t that a reference to Jerusalem? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Jerusalem, God’s holy habitation. Home to the temple and the holy of holies. The gathering place for the glory of God. And according to the songwriter, there is a river.

A river in the city of God. Fresh, flowing water. Life giving water. Joy giving water. Where its streams flow, gladness follows.

But I didn’t see any water. Where’s the river?

Keep reading, Pete.

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.

(Psalm 45:5 ESV)

God in the midst. That’s the river.

God’s water. Water that flows like a river, bright as crystal, sourced at the throne of God (Rev. 22:1).

Living water. Water which forever satisfies every thirst (Jn. 4:14a).

Forever water. When received it becomes a spring of water welling up to eternal life (John 4:14b).

Multiplying water. Drinking from the river by faith transforms the heart into a source of overflowing, living water, itself (Jn. 7:38).

There is a river. And it’s found where God is in the midst.

Streams of life where God abides. Channels of peace in His presence. Floods of joy because He is there.

It was so in the songwriter’s day. It was so back in ’97. It is so today. And it will be so for all eternity.

And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. . . . Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month.

(Revelation 21:10-11, 1-2a ESV)

There is a river. Yes, there is!

By His grace. For His glory.

Got a few more minutes? Check out one of my GVB favorites here.