Hovering over a proverb this morning. At first its flavor is that of God’s sovereignty. But as I keep chewing, I start to taste the sweetness of God’s Son.

The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He will.

(Proverbs 21:1 ESV)

Initially, it hits me as an apt verse for an election year. A good reminder that whether it’s a David, a man after God’s own heart, or a Pharaoh, a man with a hardened heart, God channels the hearts of those to whom He has given earthly kingdoms and reign (Dan. 4:17). A good reminder that while we care who gets into office, we are also confident that whoever rules is still but a stream of water in the hand of the LORD.

But chew on it a bit more, and what if “the king” spoken of here is The King? What if the verse is not just about a sovereign God directing kings as He please, but about a saving king who willingly places his heart wholly in the hands of a sovereign God? A king whose heart is ready to be turned wherever the LORD wills?

When Christ came into the world, He said, “Sacrifices and offerings You have not desired, but a body have You prepared for Me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings You have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God, as it is written of Me in the scroll of the book.'”

(Hebrews 10:5-7 ESV)

Isn’t Jesus the King whose heart is fully in the hand of the LORD? I’m thinkin’ . . .

His “food” was to do the will of the One who sent Him and to accomplish His work (Jn. 4:34). He neither claimed nor sought independence from the Father, refusing to do anything on His own. Rather than seeking His own will, He instead set His face only to “carry out orders” (Jn. 5:30 MSG).

“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will but the will of Him who sent Me.” ~ Jesus

(John 6:38 ESV)

The heart of Jesus is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD, channeled as the Father determines.

But more than His heart being a stream, from His heart flows a stream. Yet, not just a stream but a river — a river of living water able now to satisfy every imaginable (and unimaginable) thirst. Self-perpetuating water, water becoming “a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (Jn. 4:13-14, Jn. 7:37-38). Not only providing soul-quenching water today, but promising a tomorrow when He will be our guide to greater “springs of living water” where the Father will Himself wipe away every tear (Rev. 7:17). Jesus is King of kings, the stream of water who will bring His own to “the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb” (Rev. 22:1).

Jesus, the root and descendant of David, the bright Morning Star, is the King with a heart fully disposed to God’s determination to show His eternal mercy, grace, and steadfast love.

And the One who is Himself the channel of the goodness of God beckons, even this morning, “And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price” (Rev. 22:16-17).

Be exalted my King! Flow heaven’s Stream! Spring up O’ Well!

With overflowing grace!

For Your everlasting glory!