River Life


Jam 1:20  God's righteousness doesn't grow from human anger. 

Jam 1:21  So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple 

	humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-

	garden of your life. 


	Having outgrown its original home, the young plant found itself uprooted and 

transplanted in the perfect place- right along the banks of a river. Its roots quickly 

extended deep into the soil and, finding a constant source of water there, it began to 

grow into a mighty tree. As it was not only right next to the river, but also at a 

docking area where many people would venture out into the river, its size and beauty 

was greatly honored and appreciated. One of its branches reached out over the water, 

providing shade and a place for swinging way out into the deep water on a rope 

secured to it. This location along the riverbank began to be identified by this tree, 

becoming a landmark by which direction could be given and from which many could 

embark on an adventure. 

	As this tree became extremely established in this, its perfect home, it never 

grew beyond the need for the substance from which it drew its strength, the essential 

life-giving moisture soaking into the soil from the river's water. As grand and mighty 

as it grew to be, it never became independent of the very thing that made possible the 

tree's greatness. In fact, at every measurable increase of its size and significance, 

there was a dramatic increase of its dependence on this source of life. Instead of 

representing independence, its continually increasing size represented an ever-

growing requirement of the water's supply. At some point in its growth it became 

impractical for it to ever be moved again as its roots were to large and deeply 

established, so if there were to be continued life at all it would have to be right here 

in this place. If ever, for some reason, the river's course were to be diverted, it could 

not be taken to the new bank, but would probably cease to exist with its water source 

taken from it. It would certainly go from the mighty icon of power and purpose to 

just another source of lumber or firewood. 

	Like this tree there is a certainty that we will become significantly established 

as we find our place along the river of Life. We will be ever growing in our 

effectiveness in drawing people to our particular location and helping them to also 

become established there. As we progress in our growth, responsibility and purpose, 

though, our dependence on the Water of life progresses also and it becomes more 

and more critical for us to be occupied not with the expanse of our branches, but the 

course and depth of our roots and their constant drawing of sustenance. Upward and 

outward extension will be maintained as our focus it given to drawing from our life 

source. If ever there is a diversion of the River from our banks, there will cease to be 

a capacity for life within us and our end is inevitable. 

	One of the greatest and most common of "River diversions" is the presence 

and demonstration of anger in our heart. As long as it is given place, it is evidence of 

an attitude of independence and pride, which will shut off any access to the moisture 

our roots so desperately need. Anger always leads to a diversion of the River and a 

disqualification from extended life along its bank. 

	The life of Moses represents this so very well. If there was ever a mighty tree 

that grew in its power and significance it could be seen in Moses. From his 

established relationship with God and his complete dependence on His direction and 

guidance, Moses grew to be a landmark that many depended on for their deliverance 

and direction to the Promised Land. There was no question that He was completely 

humble before God and always looking to Him as his source of life. For the greatest 

part of his mature life the height and breadth of his branches never skewed his 

perspective of what was of most importance. He always found His significance in His 

relationship with his God rather than his personal acceptance or reputation. Even 

though he was without question a man who could well represent what it means to be 

in relationship with God, all it took for the source of life to be diverted from his bank 

was the presence of anger. As soon as he entertained anger with regard to seeking a 

water source for the people, he made decisions that indicated he felt he could handle 

the situation on his own. In looking to himself and his own established ability, he 

acted in anger and began to stop the flow of the River to his roots and was 

disqualified from occupying the Promised Land. 

	Righteousness in our lives is something that must be ever growing if it is to 

continue to exist at all. In its growth will surely be an increase in the expanse of our 

significance and influence, but with this increase will be a necessity for even greater 

dependence on our source of life in our relationship with our Father. Our awareness 

and focus must always be on drawing from our Life substance in an attitude and 

lifestyle that is free from diversions of pride and anger.  God's will, direction and 

favor will be shut off from the roots of the one who allows the construction of a dam 

of anger in his River source. There is glorious promise of abundant river life, though, 

for the one who chooses to live humbly before his God in an atmosphere of peace, 

free from the actions motivated by anger. 



4/8/04