I will open rivers on the bare heights
And springs in the midst of the valleys;
I will make the wilderness a pool of water
And the dry land fountains of water.
— Isaiah 41:18

Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.
— Isaiah 43:19

For he will be like a tree planted by the water, That extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit.
— Jeremiah 17:8

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.
— Isaiah 43:2

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Rivers in the Wilderness
By Jennifer Kane

The river winds—a thread that binds us close,
A ceaseless flow where God and I convene.
In quiet turns, the currents sing of grace,
Each ripple shaped by hands both firm and kind,
Reflecting skies where promises renew,
As waters chant forgiveness, soft and deep.

I sit beside this living path—so deep—
Its voice a hymn that draws me ever close.
Through heat and storm, His mercy still is kind,
His presence steady where our hearts convene.
In every drought, His waters rise anew—
The barren made a pool of endless grace.

This wilderness now blossoms into grace;
From desert stone springs forth a current deep.
The Lord declares, “Behold, I make all new!”
Through shifting sands His stream runs sure and close,
A roadway where His faith and love convene—
Each drop a seed of life, enduring, kind.

He plants my soul by waters pure and kind,
My roots reach down to drink His hidden grace.
When fires rise high or floods in power convene,
I shall not fear—the current holds me deep.
Unburned, unbroken, I remain so close,
For in His stream my heart is born anew.

And when the dawn breaks fresh and bright anew,
The river hums of covenantal kind—
Of God who walks beside me, ever close,
Whose promise turns the fiercest flame to grace.
Through every depth, His whispers echo deep:
“Take heart, My child—this is where we convene.”

The river’s course is where our souls convene—
Where mercy flows and love forever new
Transfigures sorrow’s valley into deep,
Restoring hope through waters strong and kind.
Each surge, each sigh, an offering of grace—
Till heaven’s tide draws every heart close.

So close we flow—though rivers run more deep—
In new life’s pulse our spirits still convene;
Kind faith in hand bestows eternal grace anew.

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Scripture: Isaiah 41:18, Isaiah 43:19, Jeremiah 17:8, Isaiah 43:2

Rivers have always been the lifeblood of civilization. They carve canyons, feed forests, and bring life to the land. The Nile allowed Egypt to flourish in the desert; the Amazon carries one-fifth of all the world’s freshwater; and the Yangtze powers millions of homes in China. From ancient trade to modern energy, God designed rivers to sustain life, shape geography, and even connect nations.

Yet, even the mightiest rivers can run dry. The Colorado River — once roaring and full — now struggles to reach the sea. Drought, pollution, and time can diminish even the most powerful waters. But God’s river never runs out.

The believer who abides in God draws from a source that never fades. His presence flows through us like a river in every season — in drought, in flood, in stillness. Where the Spirit of God flows, there is always life.

Just as rivers bring nourishment and growth to the land, God’s Spirit brings restoration to our souls.

Even in barren places — emotionally, spiritually, or physically — God creates new streams. Where we see emptiness, He speaks abundance. Where we see impossibility, He brings living water. No heart is too dry for His refreshment.

The rivers of this world rise and fall with the seasons, but the river of God flows eternally — a symbol of His unchanging grace. One day, in the New Jerusalem, that river will flow from the throne of God and of the Lamb (Revelation 22:1), pure and life-giving forever.

Earthly rivers sustain bodies; God’s river sustains souls. One day, every believer will stand by its banks — fully restored, forever refreshed.

What “rivers” in your life have run dry — areas where you feel empty or weary?

How might God be inviting you to trust His never-ending source of life?

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Father God, You are the Living Water that never runs dry. When the rivers of this world fade, You remain. Flow through me, refresh my soul, and help me bring Your life to others. In Jesus’ mighty name I pray, Amen.

October 6 2025