Page 14 - April 2026 - Truth & Tidings

Every river is shaped by its source. To truly separated from Egypt is through the
understand its character, we must trace it power of the cross. Paul could say, “The
back to where it begins. The same principle world is crucified unto me, and I unto the
applies spiritually. What feeds our minds world” (Gal 6:14). Just as the Red Sea cut
and hearts will determine our spiritual Israel off from Egypt, Christ’s cross must
condition. In ancient Egypt, the Nile and separate us from the world’s influence.
its tributaries were objects of worship. Without that separation, the streams of
The river was personified as the god Egypt will continue to flow into our lives
Hapi and revered as the source of life and and weaken our testimony.
prosperity. This was idolatry at its height.
When God turned the waters of Egypt into Streams From the Rock:
blood, He was not merely performing a Fighting the Flesh
miracle; He was executing judgment upon “He brought streams also out of the
false gods and false hopes. These “streams rock, and caused waters to run down like
of Egypt” represent a world system rivers” (Psa 78:16).
built on pleasure, pride and bondage. Psalm 78 traces Israel’s journey from
Much of what flows through modern Egypt to the kingdom period, reminding
streaming services is produced by a each generation of God’s faithfulness and
culture that is enslaved to its idols. It their responsibility to remain obedient.
celebrates immorality, glorifies selfishness Central to that story is God’s provision
and mocks holiness. Like Egypt of old, it of water from the rock at Rephidim. That
promises satisfaction but delivers spiritual rock, smitten by Moses, is a powerful
bitterness. The apostle John warns, “Love picture of Christ. Only after it was struck
not the world, neither the things that are did life-giving water flow. Likewise, only
in the world” (1Jn 2:15). He identifies three after Christ was smitten at Calvary did
dangers: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the the Holy Spirit descend and flow from
eyes and the pride of life. These describe Pentecost. The streams from the rock
what we desire, what we gaze upon and point us to the ministry of the Spirit in the
what we live for. believer’s life. Paul exhorts us to be “filled
Israel once grew dissatisfied with God’s with the Spirit” (Eph 5:18). This means
provision and longed again for the food allowing Him to direct every aspect of our
of Egypt. They forgot the bondage and lives – our thoughts, words, decisions and
remembered only the pleasures. In the relationships. He immediately applies this
same way, believers can grow weary to our speech and worship; the believer’s
of spiritual nourishment and begin to playlist should be a healthy stream of
crave worldly entertainment. When that “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs”
happens, spiritual vitality begins to fade. (v19). Our lives should be marked by
Our viewing and listening habits often gratitude, praise and reverence for God.
reveal our true affections. We may profess However, what we stream can either
love for the Father, yet what we regularly strengthen or weaken that spiritual flow.
stream may tell another story. The music Constant exposure to ungodly content
we play, the programmes we follow and diverts our attention, dulls our conscience
the videos we consume indicate what and drains spiritual sensitivity. It becomes
occupies our hearts. The only way to be harder to pray, harder to read Scripture

110 TRUTH kTidings April 2026