Selling Water By the River

    Scripture describes a river – a pure river – as clear as crystal – that originates at the Throne of Elohim. It flows with the Water of Life. [Revelation 22:1]

    The Spirit of God is like a river – like a pure River, flowing past us, with us standing on the bank alongside it. It moves along with power, but not turbulence. It is strong, but there are no crashing waves or undertows.

    It seems that we are free to walk to the edge of the River at any time, and with cupped hand or ladle, take of the clear-as-crystal water and be refreshed. Not only may we reach into the River and drink, but we may step into the River and be covered. The River cleanses us and restores us. At any time we may choose to seek comfort in the River that originates at the Throne of Elohim.

    We have a in-built need for water. We all have thirst – physical thirst as well as spiritual thirst. Most people, though, prefer to drink beverages other than pure water, though. We try to slake our thirst with colored water, sugared water, and flavored water. Some even try to quench their thirst with whiskey [which is about 50% alcohol, and does not satisfy thirst at all].

    Only a few, though, are inclined to drink directly from the crystal-clear River. Even fewer will step off the shore, and wade into the water. Most people prefer to have someone deliver water to them. When Yahweh spoke from Sinai directly to the people of Israel, they were intimidated, and told Moses, in effect: “You go and talk to Him, and come back and tell us what He said. We’d prefer no further direct contact.” [Exodus 20:18-21] Most people want to maintain a ‘safe’ distance between the River and themselves. They are afraid to have direct contact – afraid to drink from the River. Or they are not interested enough to get very near. Some it seems are simply not intended to know about River during mortal life. Others know there is a River – somewhere – but they remain at a distance from it.

    Silly as it may seem, though they may approach the River themselves, many people want to buy the water. There seems to be no shortage of water-sellers: people who have commercialized spirituality. There are churches many who have made a merchandizing empire of selling water.

    Some unscrupulous people bottle something other than water from The River. It is polluted runoff from another source that they offer people.

    Water-sellers sell flavored water. They sell lemonade, tea, or soda – all of which is mostly water. Church denominations hawk their wares, telling the customer that theirs is the best. Some sell water that is downright filthy – but thirsty people will drink dirty water – particularly if it is offered in brightly colored bottles.

    In most cases, just as it is with retail merchandising, the water seller did not obtain water from the River himself. He got it from a distributor, who got it from another distributor, etc. Church denominations often arise from other denominations – not from Elohim at all. Teaching the philosopies and doctrines that man has made up, instead of the Word of God.

    People who have only heard of the River, and people who have only tasted flavored water have difficulty relating to someone who has tasted water for himself directly. It seems foreign. Pure water tastes strange to those accustomed to drinking nothing but dirty water or Kool-Aid.

    Not all people are on equal levels spiritually. Some are truly spiritual babies – meaning that they cannot draw water for themselves, but must be helped out by someone more mature.

    Practically everyone is aware that there is a River – there must be a River somewhere. We sense it in our being. We thirst, so there must be a Source – a Fountainhead. In the same way, people feel there must be a God – somewhere – of some type.

    Most people want to taste the Water, but don’t want to get near to the Source.  In a sense, they are afraid to go near the water. Instead, they flock to denominational repackagers and merchandisers. They aren’t concerned about the Source of the Water – as long as it is wet and tastes good, they will buy. They are willing to pay for water – think they have to pay for it – or think it is better when they have paid for it.

    A few are drawn to take Water directly from the River. To cup their hands, fill them with water, and lower their mouth to drink. Fewer still are drawn to step into the water – to wade out into it – some to ankle depth, others to the height of their knees, still others up to their hips and waist.

    “Oh, come to the Water all you who are thirsty; though you have no money, come!” ~ Isaiah 55:1 Come and have your spiritual thirst quenched. Come and be cooled. Come to the River and be cleansed. Come to the River of Life.