Springs of Grace Lutheran Church

Ezekiel 47:6-12 Then he led me back along the bank of the river. ⁷ As I came back, I saw on the bank of the river a great many trees on the one side and on the other. ⁸ He said to me, "This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah; and when it enters the sea, the sea of stagnant waters, the water will become fresh. ⁹ Wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish, once these waters reach there. It will become fresh; and everything will live where the river goes. ¹⁰ People will stand fishing beside the sea from En-gedi to En-eglaim; it will be a place for the spreading of nets; its fish will be of a great many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea. ¹¹ But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they are to be left for salt. ¹² On the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing."

Yesterday our second lesson (from Revelation) mentioned the river of life flowing from the throne of God. As I mentioned in my sermon, this is not a new concept. It is presented in Ezekiel as well, although in Ezekiel the river flows from the temple of God. In both stories, the water is life to the people and to the earth around it. It provides nourishment for the trees that line the river, which in turn provide nourishment for the people. This cycle of nourishment shows us just how perfect God’s kingdom truly is. The cycle of life is complete with God at the center, all around, caring for his people. Whatever the case may be, God has an answer and solution for it. Hunger, hurt, mistreatment, and injustice do not exist in this kingdom. Instead, food is plentiful and healing is provided. In God’s kingdom, grace makes everything perfect.

Here in the upstate, it wasn’t long ago that we were praying for water. We were in a very bad drought, and we saw the vegetation of the land start to die. Farmers could not produce the crops that they needed to, and the land began to see the effects of not having water. Then starting last fall, we really started coming out of that drought. We had a very wet winter and we are starting to now see the benefits of rain fall. One of those benefits is that the rivers, streams, and lakes have been filled again with water, which means that the vegetation on the shores and the fish in the lakes are healthier.

This coming Sunday, we will have our annual service at Lake Bowen. We can once again be in the midst of creation, worshipping God the creator. We will give thanks for the land, the water, the birds of the air, the fish of the sea, and the chance to enjoy the things that God has given us. This service at the lake has been one of our best attended for the past two years. I am sure that this year will be the same. I hope you all can join us next Sunday at 10:30 for worship and then stay for lunch afterwards.

In our prayers this week: Wendi, Ann, Catherine, and Robert

God’s Peace,

Pastor Judson

Contact Us

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 161000
Boiling Springs, SC 29316

(864) 599-8802

Worshiping at:
7420 Highway 9

Inman, SC 29349

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A Member Congregation of the South Carolina Synod