EquippedMama

Written by Eileen Lopez

When it comes to places, the Lord can meet with us anywhere and at any time.  God is not limited, nor do certain requirements have to be met for Him to speak to us.  A church building for example is a great place to encounter the Lord.  What is so good about meeting God in church?  It is a special place where I can join others who love the Lord so that together we can sing, pray, and be still to hear God’s voice.  

Nevertheless, there are many other places where we can connect with Him.  I have a special spot at home where I sit quietly with my Bible, my prayer cards, and my journal.  I talk to the Lord there, and He speaks to my soul through His Word. 

Lately, I have discovered another place where people in Scripture intersected with the Lord.  Acts 16:13 mentions that Paul, “went outside the gate to a riverside, where we were supposing that there would be a place of prayer”. The concept of encountering the Lord by a river begins way back to the Old Testament.  Several prophets, kings, priests, and military leaders sought the Lord beside a river.

Ezekiel, the prophet, received visions from the Lord while he was by a river. “Now it came about in the thirtieth year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, while I was by the river Chebar among the exiles, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.” Ezekiel 1:1. He goes on to say that he saw the glory of the Lord there beside the river. (Eze 3:23)

The prophet Daniel beheld a spectacular vision of Jesus Christ and then received a visit from an angel while sitting beside the Tigris River.  (Daniel 10:4-21)

The book of Ezra mentions a pivotal moment when the exiles gathered at a river.  Ezra 8:15 states, “Now I assembled them at the river that runs to Ahava, where we camped for three days”. Verse 21 goes on to say, “Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God”. The Israelites were on the verge of returning to their beloved Jerusalem, and they were seeking the favor of the Lord there beside the river.

Notably, God placed four rivers in the Garden of Eden (Gen 2:10), and there will be a river that flows in the city of God (Psalm 46:4) “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling places of the Most High.”

Most importantly, when it comes to worshipping the Lord, Jesus made clear that our worship must be in spirit and truth. “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24) Whether it is by a river, in a church building, or at home, God is always ready to intersect with you and me. Will you take the time to quiet your heart and meet with Him today?

Eileen Lopez serves on the board of EquippedMama. She grew up in Houston with Argentinian parents and now has 5 grown kids and one granddaughter. She and her husband, Daniel, minister to the Hispanic community with various conferences and speaking opportunities. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, crocheting, and playing Pickleball.