Page 15 - April 2026 - Truth & Tidings

and harder to enjoy fellowship with God. river flowed out to water the garden
After the rock was smitten, Amalek and sustain life. Humanity enjoyed
attacked Israel. Always in Scripture, unhindered fellowship with God. But sin
Amalek represents the flesh, our old interrupted that relationship, and access
sinful nature that opposes the Spirit. to the source was lost. Yet through Christ,
The flesh thrives when it is fed and access has been restored. From Calvary
grows weak when it is denied. When flows a river of grace, mercy and truth to
we make provision for the flesh by every redeemed believer. We must learn to
permitting sinful material into our minds, walk daily beside this river. Time in God’s
we grieve the Holy Spirit. Our testimony presence is not optional; it is essential.
becomes shallow. Our worship becomes His Word must continually stream into
empty. Our service loses power. We our hearts if we are to remain spiritually
may still attend meetings and carry out healthy. When Scripture is neglected, joy
responsibilities, but spiritual weight and fades and spiritual resilience weakens.
authority are missing. What you stream on In a world where information never
a Saturday night will have a direct impact stops, immorality rises and nations rage,
on your enjoyment of remembering the believers need a deeper refuge than
Lord on a Lord’s Day morning. Without entertainment can provide. We need the
regular time in prayer and Scripture, the still waters of God’s presence. Only there
streams from the rock are restricted, and can we hear His voice say, “Be still, and
spiritual dryness soon follows. know that I am God” (46:10).
Streams of Gladness: Conclusion
Refreshment and Refuge We cannot avoid streaming technology.

“There is a river, the streams whereof It is part of modern life. Used wisely, it
shall make glad the city of God” (Psa 46:4). can be helpful and even beneficial. But
Psalm 46 was written in the context of used carelessly, it becomes spiritually
upheaval and uncertainty. It speaks of destructive. Each day, we choose which
earthquakes, raging waters and troubled of these will flow into our lives. May God
nations. Yet at the centre of the psalm give us discernment to shut out polluted
stands a calm and steady river flowing waters, wisdom to guard our hearts, and
through the city of God. “God is our desire to dwell beside the river of His
refuge and strength” (v1), the psalmist presence, so that our digital habits reflect
declares. Throughout Scripture, God is true spiritual priorities and bring honour
presented as the believer’s refuge and to His name.
place of safety. From His presence flows When we hunger Thou wilt feed us;
a river whose streams bring gladness,
peace and renewal. When Israel travelled Manna shall our camp surround;
to Jerusalem for worship, David wrote, “I Faint and thirsty, Thou wilt heed us,
was glad when they said unto me, Let us Streams shall from the rock abound:
go into the house of the Lord” (122:1). True Happy people!
joy flows from fellowship with God. It What a Saviour we have found! 2
cannot be manufactured by entertainment
or replaced by distraction. In Eden, a 2 Thomas Kelly (1769–1855)

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