I saw a mighty river rushing through the room. The walls on either side were the river's edge; there was no river bank to sit on. Everyone was in the river. All were faced with the awesome reality that God's presence is like a river. "I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs (Isaiah 41:18)." God's presence flows, never stagnant. Think of all that a river supplies. A river refreshes us, leads us, carries us, moves us, satisfies us, washes us, fills us, consumes us and overtakes us. God's presence does all these.
As I sang the first few songs I felt nothing, saw nothing and wondered when the Spirit would break in (he has a way of doing that!). I've learned to be patient and to let Him reveal himself rather than trying to force his hand (he doesn't like that!). Then I heard it. First it was the sound of an A2 chord I played on my guitar. Next it was the overwhelming sense in my spirit that the ONE I have come to know was beginning to manifest (make himself known) in our gathering.
I closed my eyes, not wanting to be distracted, and then I began to see in my spirit what was happening in the spirit realm. I saw the river running through the room. I saw various people being tugged by the current, but holding on to the branches overhanging the river. Their minds were grasping for branches, trying to understand what was happening. Why was this guy just playing a single chord? Doesn't he know it takes more than a chord to play a song? I asked the Spirit myself these very questions. He shared with me that each note sounding from the different strings made a harmonious sound like the different sounds of a river combining to create a melodic, heavenly tune. He reminded me that we often grasp for in our minds what we can only receive in our spirit, our inner being.
As I surrendered to this spiritual movement I felt His joy welling up within me. I sang new songs; these were "springing up to life" and affecting what the natural eye cannot see. As I sang the Lord's song, I could see in the spirit angels dancing upon the enemy, yokes broken off people. I opened my eyes to see my wife dancing in the back of the room.
As I was very aware of the tension mounting in the room over a single chord, Holy Spirit kept reminding me that I am his business and he mine. He gently reminded me that we gather for one golden purpose - HIS PRESENCE. His presence satisfies every need. But the look on some faces begged me to play a song they might engage with, a tune they were familiar with. Holy Spirit encouraged me that this song was no more unfamiliar than their Father's presence. "Though they hold tightly to the branches of understanding with their mind," he said to me, "they will surrender as I tickle them with my touch." He reminded me how gentle he is. He never forces, or pushes, or manipulates. He only woos. His kindness beckons us to surrender our feeble grasp of what we think we can know with our natural eyes, ears and minds to be lost in his thunderous presence as waves and breakers sweep over us (Psalm 42:7).
I giggled with joy as I watched him woo and gently call to each one, knowing what the cost to each was for letting go. "Let go," I heard him say. "Let go. I will save you. I will refresh you. I will love you and minister to you, as deep unto deep." As arms burned, holding tightly to the branches of safety and control, I sang his song - "Yahweh." For in his name there is salvation.
After what seemed to me only a few minutes (much longer I know), he made clear to me we were saturated in his presence. Some still dry. Others good and wet. But still, His presence was thick as the cloud that led the tabernacle. I am learning the river is always flowing. We were created to simply float down stream. There is no striving. There is no work. He carries us where he wishes. We become his business and he ours.
The Christian life is as Jesus says - REMAINING. Let me encourage each of you to pay close attention, to still your mind and body till you hear the sound of the river flowing nearby. Sell all and give it away and do what you can to jump in that river. You will never be sorry. Wet? Yes! Sorry? No.
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