The River
Half-way across the narrow suspension foot bridge spanning the Nantahala River, I stood and looked out at the rushing water. I wasn’t alone. My husband was standing a few feet away watching me. Quietly he said, “What do you love about it?” After a long moment I responded, “It never stops. It’s musical. It’s ancient.” And I gave myself, again, to the God who made the river and me.
Beauty calls to us, draws us in. It reveals both joy and longing. Worship, then, is the authentic response of the soul thus enraptured. “Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name.” (Psalm 86:11 NKJV) “I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.” (Psalm 9:1 NKJV)
God’s Word is inexorable. It does not return to Him void, without accomplishing what He sent it to do. (Isaiah 55:11) He spoke the world and worlds into being. He upholds all things by the word of His power. (Hebrews 1:3) Indeed, by His good and pleasing will, He holds me together and works His loving way into me.
His ways are lyrical and captivating. “Among the gods, there is none like You, O Lord; nor are there any works like Your works.” (Psalm 86:8 NKJV) No thing compares to Him, and I long for Him as the deer pants for the water. (Psalm 42:1) He is beautiful beyond description. Full of grace and truth, He is the wisdom of the ages, and every good thing we know and believe is in the very nature of God.
He is the Ancient of Days. (Daniel 7) There is none before Him. He is pre-existing and pre-eminent, holy and righteous. “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.” (Psalm 19:7-9 NKJV)
Walking on a long suspension bridge is an interesting experience. It bounces and keeps bouncing with every step, and due to the unpredictable timing it is almost impossible to maintain an even gait. I found it to be surprisingly exhilarating, albeit slightly absurd. I wasn’t afraid because I trusted the engineering of it. So I gave myself to the awkwardness and enjoyed the un-predictableness. Would that I could always embrace life in such a way!
O Lord, my God, how delightful it is to walk in Your ways. How marvelous to experience Your majesty. Teach my soul to follow after You, for You are entirely trustworthy. Let Your life fill me with desire only You can meet. Let Your love flow through me and rush to make new life as it smooths the rocks and carves a path on its way back to You. You are worthy of all praise, and I long to worship You, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Until next week, beloved, let the current of God’s love carry you.