Glad River

Psalm 46:4

There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,

the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.

John saw the city of God, coming down from heaven as a bride adorned for her husband. It was the New Jerusalem, the dwelling place of the saints, the tabernacle of God with men. John describes the city in great detail, from its twelve foundations of precious stones to its great gates of pearl, its width, its breadth, its height, a city built of purest gold that was clear like glass. It is a real city, yet it is more. It is the whole assembly of heaven, all the saints of all the ages gathered together in one place at one time. And there is no temple in it, for God Himself and the Lamb of God are its temple. And there is no sun, nor moon, for the Lamb of God is the light.

We are the city of God. Individually, the Bible says we are the temple of God. Collectively, we are the body of Christ and the household of faith, and with our praises we build for Him a tabernacle in which he is enthroned when we worship Him. The local church is a body with many members, and the universal church is a body with many members. We are, each of us, living stones being built into the temple fo the most high God. We are that city!

And the Psalmist saw a river that makes us glad. What is that river? Jesus said, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink, and out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water!" That river is the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of God and of Christ which dwells within each one of us. It is a river of life that flows directly from the throne of God, from the presence of God, through the temple of God, and out from the temple to heal the nations of the world. It is a river that makes us glad, just as Peter quoted the Psalmist on Pentecost by saying, "In His presence there is fullness of joy, and at his right hand pleasures evermore. Therefore my heart rejoices and my tongue was made glad!"

Peter had been filled that day by the river that makes glad the city of God! Dear God, let the river flow!