Verse: Isaiah 66:12-13
Hymn: Like a River Glorious
The chorus of this hymn is wonderful for children to learn. God is not only our Protector, but He is also the Keeper of promises. It is important that we teach our children how God keeps His promises of giving us peace and rest now, but even more, it is important for our children to know that perfect peace and rest is coming because of Jesus' work on the cross.
One day, we will have perfect rest and peace - the True Sabbath - if we have trusted in the name of Jesus for salvation. I keep thinking over and over of the image of water in the Scriptures ... from creation in Genesis 1 to judgment in Genesis 6; from the plagues of Egypt to the Red Sea crossing and the Jordan river crossing; from Elijah pouring out water on the altar to Namaan being washed and cleansed in the Jordan. Sometimes water was brought as a judgment (like the flood) and sometimes water was withheld as judgment (like the many droughts we read of in the Bible).
But then we read passages like Psalm 1 with the tree being planted by streams of water and yielding its fruit in its season and Psalm 23 how the Lord leads us by still waters. We read of a fountain of life in Psalm 36 and then the prophet Zechariah tells us of a fountain that will cleanse from sin.
In the Newer Testament we see water being used by John the Baptizer, and we also read of Jesus turning water into wine. Jesus declares Himself to be THE Living Waters to the woman at the well in John 4. We see Jesus commanding the sea to be still and peaceful. And we know the rest of the story - the Living Waters would be poured out on a cross for us, giving us life everlasting.
We continue to see water being used in church history with baptism as a sign and seal of God's faithfulness to us - His stamp shouting out through the water: "I keep my promises!" We know He did, and we know He does keep them ... ALL of them.
God keeps His promises. We remember Psalm 1 with the tree and the river ... we remember Psalm 46:4 - the river, making glad the city of God bringing forever, blessed peace.
The fulfillment of it all comes in Revelation 22:1-5
"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever."
That is all we need to remember. That is all we have to hope in, and it is enough. God will bring perfect peace as He has promised.
This is my mom's favorite hymn. Every time I sing it, I also think of her and her love for singing Truth and teaching children. This week is for you Mom. Love you, and I hope I can teach my children the same Truths as faithfully as you taught me!
Fun Facts
The chorus of this hymn is wonderful for children to learn. God is not only our Protector, but He is also the Keeper of promises. It is important that we teach our children how God keeps His promises of giving us peace and rest now, but even more, it is important for our children to know that perfect peace and rest is coming because of Jesus' work on the cross.
One day, we will have perfect rest and peace - the True Sabbath - if we have trusted in the name of Jesus for salvation. I keep thinking over and over of the image of water in the Scriptures ... from creation in Genesis 1 to judgment in Genesis 6; from the plagues of Egypt to the Red Sea crossing and the Jordan river crossing; from Elijah pouring out water on the altar to Namaan being washed and cleansed in the Jordan. Sometimes water was brought as a judgment (like the flood) and sometimes water was withheld as judgment (like the many droughts we read of in the Bible).
But then we read passages like Psalm 1 with the tree being planted by streams of water and yielding its fruit in its season and Psalm 23 how the Lord leads us by still waters. We read of a fountain of life in Psalm 36 and then the prophet Zechariah tells us of a fountain that will cleanse from sin.
In the Newer Testament we see water being used by John the Baptizer, and we also read of Jesus turning water into wine. Jesus declares Himself to be THE Living Waters to the woman at the well in John 4. We see Jesus commanding the sea to be still and peaceful. And we know the rest of the story - the Living Waters would be poured out on a cross for us, giving us life everlasting.
We continue to see water being used in church history with baptism as a sign and seal of God's faithfulness to us - His stamp shouting out through the water: "I keep my promises!" We know He did, and we know He does keep them ... ALL of them.
God keeps His promises. We remember Psalm 1 with the tree and the river ... we remember Psalm 46:4 - the river, making glad the city of God bringing forever, blessed peace.
The fulfillment of it all comes in Revelation 22:1-5
"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever."
That is all we need to remember. That is all we have to hope in, and it is enough. God will bring perfect peace as He has promised.
This is my mom's favorite hymn. Every time I sing it, I also think of her and her love for singing Truth and teaching children. This week is for you Mom. Love you, and I hope I can teach my children the same Truths as faithfully as you taught me!
Fun Facts
Text: Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879)
- Fanny's father was a pastor and hymn writer
- She was not strong physically, but wrote poetry and memorized Scripture. She also knew Greek, Hebrew, and other languages.
- When Fanny became very ill, she wrote "Like a River Glorious." When she was told by her doctor that she would not live much longer she declared, "that is too good to be true." Truly she knew that being in the presence of God was her perfect peace and rest.
Tune: James Mountain (1844-1933) WYE VALLEY
- This tune was written specifically for this hymn.
- The Wye Valley is a beautiful piece of land between Wales and England (pictured below)
- The hymn was published in Hymns for Consecration and Faith in 1876
Remember to order you copy of the hymnal we are singing through if you still need a hymnal!
Things to think about ...
- Picture a large river. It is powerful, yet quiet. Unrelenting, yet peaceful. This is how God is at work in our lives.
- The first stanza talks of God's peace while 2 and 3 introduce all kinds of worries. Only God's peace can stabilize us during difficult times and hardships. Talk to your children about difficulties they face (even if they seem small to you). It is important that they learn that Jehovah is our only help and hope! The same God who sent His Son to die for you in your greatest difficulty of all - sin - can certainly be trusted to help and keep you with difficulties you face each day.
- Have your children memorize Isaiah 26:3 and John 14:27.
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