I have always loved to look at the formations of the Earth.  I am amazed by them.  There is a retreat ground close to here where we go each year for a Prayer Summit. It sits along the Frio River and you can walk out your cabin and walk along the banks of the river.  Across the river there is a hill, maybe it could be considered a mountain, at least for Texas.  And along the wall of this rock mountain, you can see the engravings on the rock of the different levels the river has run throughout its history.  I always think of how long it must have taken to cut through the earth to become as deep as it is.  I always think to myself that it must have started with a trickle of water and then over time, it has become a powerful rushing river that has cut through the rock to the depths of the Earth.

            I think that life forms in much the same way.  The powerful, rushing river of sin in our life started as just a trickle.  Pornographic addiction began with the tiniest thought of lust.  The trickle of insecurity eventually gave way to the rushing waters of jealousy.  Anger so strong it can cut through the rocks of any relationship emerged from the spring of our heart because of the smallest hurtful word from one we loved so much and desired to much that they love us.

            There are many rivers in life.  There are rivers of pain and problems; heartache and sorry; sickness and shame.  They all begin the same, very small, but with time, how they move.  Life one capsized, helpless in the current of life, the sin and hardships of life can cut deeper and deeper and seem unstoppable.  For so long we have struggled in our sin, hurt in our heart, and suffered in our body.  Yet the river keeps running.  We pray and call out to the Lord, yet the river keeps running.  When will it stop?  Will it ever stop?

            Zechariah records an exchange between himself and God and God is foretelling the coming of Jesus as the Branch of righteousness and He says this, “…I will remove the sin of this land in a single day.”  All sin was punished and dismissed for all the world in a single day, the day Jesus went to the cross.  For so long, sin and evil had run rampant.  It seemed as if there was no hope.  The river of this life was to just continue to cut deeper and deeper and run stronger and stronger.  But then ‘in a single day,’ God dried up the river.

            Your prayers have not been answered. Your circumstance has not changed; The river keeps running.  But don’t lose hope.  All Hell may break loose and demons may run rampant, but God will bring victory and peace.  He will bring forgiveness and hope.  And He will do it all ‘in a single day.’  That day could be today or maybe tomorrow.  But do not let the rushing rivers of evil discourage you.  Today might be their last day to dance.  Trust in Him and in His time, He will come.