Ps.46:4 – There is a river whose streams make the city of God happy,
The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
Apparently resistance, kickback, and persecution follow the outpourings of the River. David knew all about both. As a youth he experienced a magnificent outpouring of the Spirit on his life, as a result he began to move in prophetic worship and also was turned into quite a warrior. Of course we know the rest of the story; along with the anointing came Goliath, Saul’s spear hurling, Philistine invasions, and the rebellion of his son Absalon. David learned through day to day experience the blessing of the River of the Spirit. In the River he found joy, satisfaction for his soul, power to perform his assignment, supernatural song writing abilities, and protection from all of his enemies. Not only did David experience this kickback there is quite a list of other men of God who were attacked because of the anointing. Of course there is the example of Jesus, after the Spirit came upon Him the enemy came to tempt and attack Him. These attacks continued throughout His life culminating in His death. Another example is the Apostle Paul. He was chased from city to city throughout his ministry. He also was troubled until he was martyred. The good news is what David was singing about, the River will fill us and satisfy until our final day. Here is how Augustine describes this characteristic of the River.
“Mountains quiver, the sea rages, but God stays faithful to his city by means of this impetuous river. What is it, and what are its impulses? They are the inundation of the Spirit.… When Jesus had been glorified after his resurrection and ascension, the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost and filled the believers. They spoke in tongues and began to preach the good news to the Gentiles. At this the city of God was overjoyed, though the sea was heaving with its noisy waves and the mountains were quaking and asking themselves what they should do, and how they could get rid of this new teaching and how they might uproot the Christian race from the earth. But against whom was all this agitation directed? Against the irresistible impulses of the river that were giving joy to God’s city.”
I love Augustine’s phrase, “the inundation of the River”. In days like we live in nothing less than inundation will do. I can’t imagine trying to live a Christian life without the blessing of the River. There is a River and it makes me glad.
