everything in your physical life will take care of itself including all your trials and difficulties. This is because YHVH’s grace is sufficient to carry you through the flood and fires of life (2 Cor 12:9; Isa 43:2), and through the valley of the shadow of death (Ps 23:4). Also all things work together for good to them that love Elohim, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Rom 8:28). Why? Because YHVH Elohim is love (1 John 4:8–16), and he loves his children and wants to save them (John 3:16).

By J. Nathan Lawrence

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There Is a River of Life That Flows From Heaven’s Throne

Imagine this: for days you have been trekking through a vast, sun-baked desert devoid even of cactuses. Sand and rocks are everywhere. Even the snakes and scorpions have fled this wasteland. Your skin is dry and cracked, your tongue cleaves to the roof of your mouth. Will this hellscape ever end? You drag your beleaguered over another sand dune, and…! Below you is a tree-lined river with crystal clear waters. Have you died and gone to heaven? Is this a cruel joke or a desert mirage? You wipe the dust from your eyes and blink. Yes, it is real. With the last atom of energy left in your sagging body, you pull yourself up the river’s edge. What next? Are you just going to stand there starring in disbelief at this heavenly sight?  But you’re no fool. So you jump in and imbibe in the life-giving waters that are before you! Thankfully, you realized that your mortal life has miraculously been spared at the last moment. However…

There is another river—a spiritual one—that flows from heaven, which offers much more than any physical river. It promises both physical and spiritual blessings.

What is this spiritual river of life that flows from heavenly high places bringing with it all manner of blessings in its life–giving waters? In a couple of places, the Bible pulls back the curtains of heaven and gives us some glimpses of this river of life. 

And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of Elohim and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (Rev 22:1–2)

Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.…And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine. (Ezek 47:1, 12)

Rivers are often a biblical metaphor that speak of how to maintain one’s spiritual relationship with one’s Creator and the blessings that come therefrom.

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of YHVH; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For YHVH knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. (Ps 1:1–6)

Thus saith YHVH; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from YHVH. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusteth in YHVH, and whose hope YHVH is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. (Jer 17:5–8)

Yeshua the Messiah spoke of this river of life that flows from heaven and revealed that this same river can flow through a person and out again as a spiritual, life-giving blessing to others.

In the last day, that great day of the feast, Yeshua stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Spirit was not yet given; because that Yeshua was not yet glorified.) (John 7:37–39)

Heaven’s river of life flows from YHVH through his Holy Spirit into man’s spirit, then into man’s soul (ones mind will and emotions) and then into his physical body. For this to occur, one has to be in a right relationship with one’s Creator. Sin, bad lifestyles and destructive habits, like kinks in a garden hose, will prevent this river from flowing into one’s life. To the degree that one loves YHVH and walks in accordance with his Word (his commandments) is the degree to which this river will flow and vice versa. Too many times people want heaven’s blessings without following heaven’s rules. There are no shortcuts or end runs around this process. To defy heaven’s ways is like defying the law of gravity. The results can be disastrous! Heaven dispenses its blessings only to those who follow thee rules. Therefore, the wise person will remove everything from one’s own personal river that is blocking YHVH’s river of life. We must get our lives in synch with the YHVH Elohim, Yeshua, the Word of Elohim and the Holy Spirit to receive heaven’s favor. There is no other way. Man has been trying other ways for thousands of years but every other way leads to misery and eventually to death. It is ludicrous, foolish and illogical to expect good results when we are not following heaven’s rules.

The third chapter of the Book of Proverbs lays out the process for man to follow if he wants heaven’s blessings. There YHVH’s Torah-law or instructions in righteousness is referred to as wisdom and is likened to the metaphorical tree of life as well as to a woman. The author talks about the blessings, riches, long life, happiness and honor that accrue to those who her (i.e., Torah-wisdom; vv. 13–18). This chapter shows that the result of Torah-obedience (v. 1) is long life and peace (v. 2), favor and high esteem among men and Elohim (v. 4) and divine guidance in life (v. 6). The author then goes on to show that such a man tithes to YHVH (i.e., he honors YHVH with the first fruits of all his possessions, v. 9) resulting in material blessing (v. 10). Such a person also accepts YHVH’s chastisements (vv. 11–12), is happy (v. 13), experiences long life (v. 16), has pleasantness and peace (v. 17), receives life to one’s soul (v. 22), is the beneficiary of safety and protection in life (v. 23), has no fear when one is asleep, so one’s sleep will be peaceful and sweet (v. 24), experiences no fear of terror from the wicked (v. 25), and has confidence in dangerous situations (v. 26). Such a man does good to others when he is able (v. 27), treats his neighbor charitably (vv. 28–29), is not pugnacious and a causer of strife (v. 30), and is not envious of others (v. 31), and is not perverse (devious or crooked, v. 32). These are the expected traits and qualities of every Christian disciple of Yeshua the Messiah.

How to Get Into and Stay In YHVH’s River of Life 

As a redeemed disciple and follower Yeshua the Messiah, how can you immerse yourself and then stay in heaven’s river of life, so that you may be the happy beneficiary of all that heaven has to offer you in this life…and in the next? Here are some suggestions:

• Stay connected to Yeshua our Lord and Savior as a tree branch is connected to the tree trunk which supports and nourishes it (John 15:1–8). 

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.…If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (John 15:4, 7)

This means making a disciplined commitment to seek him and his word each day through regular Bible study and prayer. Eagerly seek him, feed on his divine manna from heaven, and make him a part of your life by nourishing yourself from all that he has to offer of himself.  

 I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. (John 6:48–51)

In so doing, you will be allowing heaven’s river life to be continually flowing through you like blood in your veins, which nourishes and strengthens our body.

• Get to know Yeshua intimately and love him by keeping his Torah-commands.

If ye love me, keep my commandments.…He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. (John 14:15, 21)

And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of Elohim perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (1 John 2:3–6)

The Torah’s instructions are like guardrails on the road of life to help keep you on YHVH’s straight and narrow path that leads to everlasting life in his heavenly kingdom.

• As regular sleep helps to repair and to reset our mind and body, so regular prayer and Bible study helps to repair and reset our soul and spirit. Even as an extended period of sleep deprivation can cause bouts of dizziness, memory loss, slurred speech, hallucinations and even paranoia in a person, so going without regular periods Bible study and prayer will have deleterious effects upon us spiritually, mentally and emotionally. 

• Work six days and then rest on YHVH’s seventh day Sabbath and take the time to commune with him as well as our physical and spiritual family.

But the seventh day is the sabbath of YHVH thy Elohim: in it thou shalt not do any work…wherefore YHVH blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. (Exod 20:10–11)

• Honor YHVH’s dietary laws (Lev 11). This will result in improved health and more importantly, in an awareness of the importance of walking in holiness. Treat and honor your body like the temple of the Holy Spirit  by nourishing it by not eating food that YHVH forbids because it is harmful both to one’s physical and spiritual health.

• Be a giver!

Honour YHVH with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. (Prov 3:9–10)

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. (Luke 6:38)

I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Yeshua, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35)

• Seek first the kingdom of Elohim in everything that you do, say and think.

But seek ye first the kingdom of Elohim, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matt 6:33)

• Serve YHVH with the talents that he has given you, and do not bury them in ground. This involves serving others in the areas where you’re gifted (Matt 25:14–30).

And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, occupy till I come. (Luke 19:13)

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. (Rom 12:6–8)

• Be thankful for everything and at all times.

Giving thanks always for all things unto Elohim and the Father in the name of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. (Eph 5:20)

• Another way to stay connected to heaven in an intimate way is to live a life of praise, worship and prayer.

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. (Ps 55:17)

At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments. (Ps 119:162)

Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments. (Ps 119:164)

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint. (Luke 18:1)

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer. (Rom 12:2)

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. (Eph 6:18)

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving. (Col 4:2) 

Pray without ceasing. (1 Thess 5:17)

• Take every thought captive to the mind of Messiah.

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of Elohim, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of the Messiah. (2 Cor 10:5)

• Be a peace maker and avoid conflict.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of Elohim. (Matt 56:9)

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. (Rom 12:18)

• Love and bless your enemies.

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. (Matt 5:44)

• In all of your ways acknowledge YHVH Elohim

Trust in YHVH with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Prov 3:5–6)

• Cast all your cares and burdens onto YHVH.

Trust in YHVH, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in YHVH; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto YHVH; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. (Ps 37:3–5)

• Give your burdens and cares to Yeshua.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matt 11:29–30)

Cast thy burden upon YHVH, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. (Ps 55:22)

• Do not be overly concerned about tomorrow!

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if Elohim so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. (Matt 6:25–32)

• Learn to walk in love and faith, and put off fear, anxiety, anxiousness, fretfulness and worry. Just walk in the love of YHVH knowing that he loves you, that he keeps you in the palm of his hands, under the shadow of his wings, and that you are the apple of his eye, and that his grace is sufficient to carry you through any difficulty that you may face.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. (1 John 4:18–19)

Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings. (Ps 17:8)

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of YHVH, He is my refuge and my fortress: my Elohim; in him will I trust. (Ps 91:1–2)

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of the Messiah may rest upon me. (2 Cor 12:9)

• Finally, die to yourself, pick up your cross and follow Yeshua the Lamb of Elohim wherever he goes, and he will lead you to the river of life that flows from heaven!

Then said Yeshua unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (Matt 16:24)

And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: and they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto Elohim and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of Elohim. (Rev 14:1–5, emphasis added)