“Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and became four riverheads. The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one which skirts the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. And the gold of that land is good. Bdellium and the onyx stone are there. The name of the second river is Gihon; it is the one which goes around the whole land of Cush. The name of the third river is Hiddekel; it is the one which goes toward the east of Assyria. The fourth river is the Euphrates.”
As God puts Adam in the garden of Eden, we read of four rivers that flow from the garden of the relationship between God and Adam.
I believe 2008 is going to be great and that God is sending four rivers to flow in your life. As we look at the names of these four rivers we can see what God wants you to flow in this year.
Let’s look at the names of these four rivers God put in the garden for Adam.
1. The first river was called Pishon which means "increase"
‘Increase’: in the dictionary is described as to ‘become or make, greater in size, amount, intensity or degree’
God wants to make your influence for him greater in size, amount, intensity or degree’
He wants you to increase in wealth and finance - it speaks of a river which flows through a land where the gold is good and which is filled with precious stones. And as this river flows into your life you will see supernatural increase.
Psalm 1:3 describes a man planted by the river like this:
“And whatever he does shall prosper.”
Increase is the first flow that will come to your life in 2008. It may come as a promotion, unexpected success, an inheritance, a change of job or career, or a new platform for ministry. Increase is coming. 2008 is going to be great!
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The second river was called Gihon
Gihon literally means "bursting forth".
It was one of the four rivers of the Garden of Eden
and also the name of a spring near Jerusalem where Solomon was anointed king - where he burst forth as a king.
It’s a bursting forth, a breakthrough.
"bursting forth": is described in the dictionary as - ‘to break suddenly and violently apart, spilling the contents, typically as a result of impact or internal pressure; to be so full as to almost break open; issue suddenly and uncontrollably as though from a splitting container; be opened suddenly or forcibly (like a door)
This is the second river that will flow into your life this year. The river of breakthough or bursting forth. Something may have been holding you back through circumstances or timing. But get ready because the supernatural breakthrough is coming to take you up to a new level with God. It may come forcibly, it may cause controversy, but don’t fear the break though will come.
When a dam bursts it initially makes a mess but when the dust settles things are changed forever and there’s no going back. Once Israel had crossed the Red Sea and the Egyptian army had been drowned there really was no way back to Egypt for Israel. the situation was changed forever and they were free.
Then we need to look at our character. It took God two weeks to get Israel out of Egypt but it took Him forty years to get Egypt out of Israel.
Get ready for your breakthrough. This is the second river God is sending to you.
The Third river was called Hiddekel which means "rapid"
This river is better known as the Tigris
Hiddekel means ‘Rapid’ which means - ‘happening in a short time or at a fast pace’ (of a river, fast flowing and turbulent)
This third flow will happen very rapidly. It will be going faster than you want it to go so you’ll feel things are out of control. But really God will be in control and you will need to trust him. Something that most of find very hard to do. Rapid also means fast flowing and turbulent - like white water rapids. Most of us would not take part in white water rafting - it looks dangerous. But this flow from God may feel like just that. You need to get in the raft and hold tight!
The fourth river was the Euphrates which means "fruitfulness"
The dictionary says fruitful means - ‘producing much fruit, fertile, producing good or helpful results, productive, producing many offspring’.
In 1996 I visited a monument to John Speke in Uganda. John Speke was accredited with discovering the source of the Nile at Lake Victoria. I remember standing by that great river and seeing the power of its flow
These four rivers will come with a powerful flow. The question is will you get into the flow or stand and watch them go by?
In Genesis 2:15-17 God explained to Adam that this flow, this blessing, was dependant on our walking in obedience with God.
Get ready because God is sending these four rivers into your life in 2008 - increase, breakthrough, rapid change, fruitfulness.
2008 is going to be great!
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You can listen to this message online at:
www.doneganpodcast.co.uk
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