When the banks of a river are clearly defined, the inhabitants of the region enjoy peace of mind. Even in the midst of a stormy deluge, the water swiftly passes through within its banks. But, when a river overflows its banks, there is great potential for havoc and destruction.

 

A river well-defined is like a person hungering and thirsting after righteousness (Mt. 5:6). In the pursuit of righteousness there is safety and satisfaction because, in such pursuit, there is a continual deepening of the river bottom, a sharpening view of the river’s boundaries, and a corresponding swelling of assurance in the favor of God. Dangerous waters pass by swiftly, finding no outlet into our lives. In stark contrast, the one who lingers long at the water’s edge is soon swept away by its raging torrent.

 

Without hungering and thirsting after righteousness, the river soon begins to fill with run-off from the world around us. We lose clarity in our perspective and our priorities are misplaced. The river becomes shallow and its banks indistinctive. Swift currents which once passed harmlessly by begin gushing over eroding, poorly-defined banks, sweeping away souls which once had enjoyed security in the way of righteousness.

 

Are you listening America? Deepen the river in the pursuit of true righteousness. Fill up sandbags and shore up the river’s edge. Know with certainty that it is God who rules in the affairs of mankind and that it is in righteousness that a nation is exalted (Dan. 4:32; Prov. 14:34).

 

–Glen Elliott–