What is it about water that is so refreshing, whether it is still or moving, streams or rivers, or a cup of cold drinking water? There are many places in the Bible where God refers to water in connection with the refreshment and life that comes from it.

Psalm 23 is a well-known statement, “The Lord is my Shepherd…he leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul.”

Jesus offered the woman at the well, water that will satisfy with the promise she will never thirst again.

When Jesus was teaching about rewards earned in heaven, he said, “And whoever gives one these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:42 ESV)

Right now, I have running in the background a video from YouTube titled “100 of the Most Beautiful Hymns, Cello & Piano”. They are playing some of the most beautiful and most well-known hymns with a video of rushing streams, waterfalls, rapids, and quiet streams. It’s mesmerizing, calming, and induces the creative juices to flow.

Imagine hiking along streams and rivers for 13 weeks, stopping long enough to set up camp, catch dinner, cook over the campfire, wash clothes in the cold streams, wash diapers in the same stream.

Ok, some of that doesn’t sound so pleasant. But, do you think Gertie thought about the verses that God wrote about the refreshing streams? Their route did take them along riverbeds much of the way. They had constant supply of water.

You know, the 1700’s are known as the Golden Age of Hymnody. Many of the hymns we know today were written during that century. The tunes may not be the same ones we know, but the hymns were around when Gertie made this trip. Mennonites are known for their hearty singing, and I can imagine she had many hymns come to mind as she was walking. I wonder, how many of them had to do with water?

A number of years ago, I had the pleasure of seeing “The Fountain of Angels” at the Precious Moments Chapel in Carthage, MO. At that time, I had just gone through a very stressful year as a parent and survived a tough teaching assignment. As I sat and watched that fountain show, I felt the water rushing over me (not literally, although it felt like it) and I cried tears of relief and refreshment and thanksgiving. The fountain waters danced to the music of many hymns dealing with water… “Drinking at the Springs of Living Water”, and many others. It ended with an awesome display of “To God Be the Glory.” Water just made the message that much more impactful.

Gertie had gone through many losses, and I imagine God ministered to her damaged spirit through water along the way.

Action:

• Name as many hymns and gospel songs that you know that have to do with water. Comment in the box below. Let’s see how many we can come up with.
• If you crave refreshment today, check out this video on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piaCLiAKm3o (Just a note – none of the songs on this video have to do with water – hmmmm?!)
• Thank God for the refreshment of water and for the Living Water He offers us.