Revelation 22:1-2 “Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.”
We live in rural northern Ghana, where our dry season has started. The streams that were full of water during the rainy season are drying up, presenting all kinds of problems. Even though some villages have dams and reservoirs and others have bore hole wells, the quality of the water may be questionable. Borehole well water is clean; however, it sometimes has a high sulfur content, giving it a bitter taste. The sulfur also turns porridge and other foods yellow. Some people are so put off by the bitter taste that they prefer to collect water anywhere they can, even if that means getting water from the same pond in which the local animals are drinking, urinating, and defecating. Sometimes people will even dig holes in the ground in hopes of finding water. You can imagine the quality of the water in those holes!
The Bible speaks about “living water,” that is, water in a flowing stream. This water is generally far cleaner than water that has been sitting and that has become stagnant. Even in cities with pipe – borne water, if there is a pause in the flow of water, bacteria may build up so that the next time the water flows, those collecting that water will ingest large amounts of bacteria and become sick as a result. Now there is a river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God, the Source of light and life and purity.
There are trees of life on either side of the river, perpetually bearing a different fruit for each month. Even the leaves of these trees contain healing properties. In recent years, horticulturists in Ghana have heavily promoted the growing of moringa trees. Moringa trees grow rapidly, are drought – resistant, and their leaves are rich in vitamins and minerals and have many health – restoring properties.
If lowly moringa trees here on earth are so wonderful, what must these heavenly trees of life be like? But why mention the healing properties of these leaves? Perhaps those who go to heaven continue to need spiritual healing after they arrive. These trees would then become sources for that healing.
v.3 – 5 “No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be within the city, and His servants will worship Him. They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night in the city, and they will have no need for the light of a lamp or of the sun. For the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever.” No more curses! No more evil of any kind! No more darkness! Instead, God the Father and God the Son will be within the city and their servants will worship them forever. Forget many of the “worship” experiences you might have had! This heavenly worship will be exhilarating, delightful, and incredible!
Today, are you spiritually thirsty? Are you tired of recent political events? Wondering if God still cares about His creation? Take heart! God is still very much on the throne, and His ways are perfect. Come to Him, trust Him, and worship Him! Ask God to give you living water that will heal you and satisfy the longings of your soul. You will never be disappointed!
PRAYER: Father God, thank you for your great and precious promises! Thank you that you do not play games but that if you promise healing and health and wholeness, you will give those things when we ask. Thank you for every person who reads these words. Lord, touch their hearts. Move in ways that none of us can anticipate to satisfy the deepest longings. In the mighty Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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