Posted: 01 December 2025

From a sermon given on 30 November 2025:

There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
(Psalm 46.4-5)

Here is the same Scripture in the New King James Version of the Bible:

There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just [c]at the break of dawn.

The psalmist describes a steady river flowing in the midst of chaos - a picture of God's presence sustaining His people when everything else shakes. This river symbolizes divine peace and strength. While the world trembles, God's nearness brings joy and stability. Because He dwells among His people, they cannot be easily moved.

Scripture consistently echoes this sustaining presence. Israel drank from the spiritual rock that followed them (1 Corinthians 10:4). Ezekiel saw a river from God's temple bringing life wherever it flowed (Ezekiel 47:1-9). Jesus offered "living water" to believers, promising an inner well that never runs dry (John 7:38). God's presence has always been His people's greatest resource.

The psalm assures us that "God shall help her at the break of dawn." His timing is perfect, His strength unfailing. Stability comes not from calm surroundings but from communion with Him. Whatever rises against you, the river of God's presence remains constant - refreshing, strengthening, and anchoring your heart in peace.

Further Readings:

Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar. Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side. And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins. Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over. And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river. Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other. Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed. And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.
(Ezekiel 47:1-9)

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
(John 7:38)

And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
(1 Corinthians 10:4)