Nov 04 – RIVER EUPHRATES !

We do not have adequate information about the current names or location of the four riverheads that flowed from Eden. But one river that has found numerable references in the Scripture; is River Euphrates – which is there even today.

When God promised a land as inheritance for Abraham, he marked River Euphrates as its border. “On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: “To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates” (Genesis 15:18). Whatever is promised to Abraham, we are also partakers of the same inheritance, by grace!

The term ‘Euphrates’ means ‘fruit-bearing’. When the river of Holy Spirit flows in you; you are endowed with the gifts of the Spirit and a fruit-bearing life through the Spirit. Many Christian preachers who talk about the gifts of the Spirit, do not speak about the fruit of the Spirit.

But our Lord expects to find fruit of the Spirit in you, much more than the gifts of the Spirit. In many parts of the Scripture, we read about the Lord coming in search of spiritual fruit in you. Every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. We should therefore, bear fruits worthy of repentance (Matthew 3:8). When the fountain of salvation springs from within you, you shall surely bear fruits for the Lord.

The Lord also expects good fruit from you. When you produce bitter fruits, the heart of the Lord is grieved. And when you give good fruit, He prunes and removes whatever is hindering your growth, so you may bear more fruit (John 15:2). Every good tree bears good fruits; for a tree is known by its fruit (Matthew 12:33). It is therefore very important for you to bear good fruits.

Thirdly, you should not stop with just one or two fruits and stop bearing fruits thereafter. He even cursed the fig tree that did not bear any fruit at all. But when you start yielding fruits, He encourages you to bear much fruit. You will bear abundant fruits, to the extent that you are anchored in Christ. Our Lord Jesus says; “I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit” (John 15:5).

There are so many other fruits that you have to bring forth for the Lord. These include fruit of righteousness (Philippians 1:11), the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips (Hebrews 13:15), and the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Children of God, you will indeed be much fruitful, if the river of Holy Spirit flows in you.

Verse for further meditation: “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper” (Psalm 1:3).