RIVERS OF GRACE

I have never considered myself much of a “River Rat,” but I still enjoy the outdoors and the sound of a rushing river.

During the 5 years of my first pastorate in London, Kentucky, the guys in our church talked often about their time spent floating down the Rockcastle River. Their descriptions were filled with excitement and adventure which would make the most cautious person desire to make one of those journeys with them. But while I was often envious, desire is as far as I ever got!

Being a non-swimmer, for the most part, I never mustered up the courage to get into a canoe and float down the river. Oh yes, my family spent a sunny summer afternoon or two picnicking on the banks of the river, but until a couple of years ago, I never knew the thrill of riding the rapids!

It was late summer of 2004 when a member of my current pastorate, Eagle Heights Church in Somerset, invited me to join him, some members of his family, and a dear friend (who serves as a missionary in the Philippines) for a day of

fishing and floating down…what else but… the Rockcastle River.

With my dreams of doing so, even some 25 years removed, how could I say no? Of course, my wife battled the idea and left my friend with the proclamation, “You make sure he wears a life-jacket!” (It was good to know she cared so much!)

So, the day finally came and we rose early and headed for the river. I must tell you, that day was one of the most wonderful days I have ever spent! The scenery was breathtaking, the fishing was good, and I was living out a 20+ year old dream!

I recall how relaxing it was as the canoe floated along on the gently flowing river. It was so peaceful that I could not imagine why in the world I had waited so long. But I also recall the twinges of trepidation I felt when I saw the two-man canoe in which my missionary friend and I were riding nearing the first stretch of rapids we would encounter that day.

A multitude of thoughts and fears raced into my mind. But by the time we were into the rapids, I found myself actually enjoying the sensation of rushing along, being carried by the more quickly flowing water. Hey, this wasn’t so bad! I wasn’t in total control, but I felt safe and secure in the boat and with a more experienced person in there with me. And

I discovered that the rapids didn’t last long, and we were soon back in the gently flowing water again!

God’s grace is so much like a river! When we walk with Him, He allows us to “drink from [His] rivers of delight!” (Psalm 36:8–NLT) The Apostle John, writing about Jesus in the first chapter of his gospel said, “And from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace!” (John 1:16-ESV) Grace piled upon grace! Which one of us does not need that?

And the prophet Isaiah promised us “peace like a river” if only we would “pay attention to [His] commands.” (Isaiah 48:18-NIV) He was talking about the very same peace I felt as I drifted along on that gently flowing river that day! It is ours day by day, grace piled upon grace, as we walk with our God.

But what about those times when we find ourselves entering the rapids of life? When there is fear and trepidation and uncertainty? Just as I discovered in the midst of the rapids that day, God has promised that, “My grace is sufficient for

you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9NIV)

Life is not always smooth just like a river is not always calm. It always brings its share of rough times for everyone. But when we find ourselves in the roughest of water, we will discover that His rivers of grace always see us through

until we enter the calm waters again.

What an awesome God we serve! How can anyone live their life without Him?But then, maybe you are doing just that. If so, may I offer you a lifelong ride on those rivers of grace? They flow abundantly from Him and are just what you

need, whenever you need it!

(David is senior pastor of Eagle Heights Church in Somerset, Kentucky)