“For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.” (Isa. 35:6b)
One of the things I try to do in meetings is release the river of God. On one occasion, while attending a large gathering in Edmonton, I became focussed on praying for a greater release of the anointing as we worshiped. After a time, the burden lifted, and I sensed that I should just listen. A hush came over the gathering as the youngest member of the worship team began to play spontaneously on her violin. It was heavenly. My prayers and those of others had been a part in this release of the Spirit.
As I was pondering this topic for an article, I remembered the words “streams in the desert”. The Lord uses the symbol of water in Isaiah’s prophecy to explain how we can have a part in extending the Kingdom of God. To better understand this, we should put the verse in context. Isaiah prophesied that there would be a highway in the wilderness leading the redeemed of the Lord to Zion, which is the New Jerusalem, the holy city of God (Isa. 35:10). Those who walk this path of holiness are being made into the Bride of Christ (Rev. 21:2). Christ is the builder of this spiritual house (Heb. 3:6), and we can all have a part in His work. If we allow Him to build through us, we will have a lasting reward (1Cor. 3:14).
What then are these streams in the desert? They are the operation of the Spirit through believers along the wilderness highway. There are multiple streams, each originating from the throne of God (Ezek. 47:1). Since the Kingdom of Heaven is within us, and the throne of God is in His Kingdom, we can expect this river to flow from within us. It is as Jesus told His disciples, “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (Jn. 7:38). We release this river of life whenever we speak as inspired by God or serve with the ability that God provides (1Pe. 4:11).
It is interesting to note that the river of life increases in breadth and depth as it moves away from the temple (Ezek. 47:3-5). The increase occurs because different streams are joined. The combining of streams is different than drinking from a stream. When we drink from a stream, we are refreshed. Someone’s gift is bearing fruit in us. There is nothing wrong with that since we need to drink to bear fruit. When we join our stream with another, however, we begin to flow together. Combining streams increases the fruitfulness of each stream. This may be the unity that the Bible speaks about: “Behold how good and how pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garment.” (Ps. 133:1,2). Unity releases the anointing and results in a blessing from the Lord. It is also a requirement for the maturing of the Body of Christ. (Eph. 4:13).
True unity is in the Spirit. It is a unity of purpose, not of conformity. By faith we choose to unite in prayer and worship. We can release the river by declaration, or by consciously looking to the Holy Spirit as we pray. Along the banks of the river are “all kinds of trees used for food” (Ezek. 47:12). Each stream may bear a different fruit, each depending on each one’s calling or gifting, but all contribute to a greater corporate anointing.
Besides corporate prayer and worship, we can also join streams for ministry. As someone is ministering by the Spirit, we can agree in faith for God to move through them. There is an increase of the manifestation of God as the minister consciously steps into the flow of the river. When we pray like this in a meeting, there is also an increase in angelic activity. If we are called upon to help at the altar, we can also flow under the minister’s anointing. I like to think of it as submitting to the anointing that resides with the angels. Participating in ministry this way can cause a greater anointing to abide on us, even after the meeting.
The methods described thus far relate to giving out, as should be our goal, but we cannot give unless we receive. There are changes coming to the Church, and God is revealing these things to the forerunners. These are prophets that have gone ahead and encountered God in heavenly visions. It is important that we receive their messages, not only with our minds, but with our spirits. As we drink from their streams, we will be refreshed, but we need to go deeper. We need to become part of what God is doing. We must come into agreement (Amos 3:3). This does not mean that we should forsake all that the Lord has taught us to date, but we must be willing to change. We must forsake any religious traditions that deny the power of God, and we must wage war with the prophecies we have previously received (1Tim. 1:19). The same principles that produce mature character in us will produce mature understanding. “But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to distinguish between good and evil.” (Heb. 5:14). We need to discern what the Lord is saying, and we must be doers of the word (Jas. 1:22).
The river of life flowing through us will increase as we release it by faith, and as we join our stream to other streams. There may be turbulence when two streams are joined, but if we keep our eyes on the Lord, we will “grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ…” (Eph. 4:15).
Highway in the Wilderness 