{"id":2744,"date":"2023-02-10T20:10:41","date_gmt":"2023-02-11T01:10:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/?p=2744"},"modified":"2023-03-30T18:25:57","modified_gmt":"2023-03-30T22:25:57","slug":"drinking-from-the-brook-in-the-way","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/teachings\/drinking-from-the-brook-in-the-way\/","title":{"rendered":"Drinking from the Brook in the Way"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Drinking from the Brook in the Way<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Psalm 110:7
He shall drink of the brook in the way:
Therefore shall He lift up the head.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Psalm 110 is a prophetic, Messianic Psalm. It is quoted 25 times in the New Testament, making it the most-cited passage in the Bible. It speaks of Christ\u2019s eternal priesthood after the order of Melchizedek (see Heb 6:20\u20137:28). It also prophesies of Jesus\u2019 triumphant ascension as He took His seat at the right hand of God the Father:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Acts 2:32-35
This Jesus God raised up, and of that, we all are witnesses.
Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.
For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says [quoting Psalm 110:1],
\u201cThe Lord said to my Lord,
\u2018Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool.\u2019\u201d<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Psalm 110 is glorious. However, the final verse brings this psalm to a curious ending which has had me thinking a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Psalm 110:7
He shall drink of the brook in the way:
Therefore shall He lift up the head.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Hebrews 5:6 quotes from Psalm 110:4 describing Christ\u2019s eternal priesthood. Then, as if there were some connection (and there is!), Hebrews jumps directly into a description of Jesus\u2019 prayer life:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hebrews 5:7
Who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Jesus knew man\u2019s crisis of sin and the extreme course of action the Father was taking by sending Him to earth. As Messiah (\u201cthe anointed one\u201d), King, and High Priest \u2013 His earthly mission was urgent! Desperate needs require desperate measures. Jesus knew He must remain plugged in tightly to His Father\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n
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It was another \u201cAHA\u201d moment for me! Hebrews 5:7 unfolds the mystery of Psalm 110:7, which is also about Jesus\u2019 prayer life. Prayer is precisely what a High Priest does. Jesus prayed while on earth, and He ever lives to continue praying for us:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hebrews 7:24-25
But Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently.
Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
The \u201cbrook along the way,\u201d<\/em> as one translation renders it, would refer to Jesus\u2019 journey on earth \u201cin the days of His flesh.\u201d<\/em> So, we can see our conquering Savior and High Priest took time to drink and refresh Himself from that \u201cbrook.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While here on earth, Jesus knew how to locate that \u201cbrook\u201d and drink from its Heavenly refreshment. Jesus frequently went off alone to spend time in precious communion with His Father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark 1:35
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
(See also: Mat 14:23; Mark 6:46; Luke 5:15-16; Luke 6:12; Luke 9:18; Luke 11:1; John 17:1-26.)<\/em><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Jesus\u2019 prayer life inspired His disciples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Luke 11:1
It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, \u201cLord, teach us to pray\u2026\u201d<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Psalm 110:7 continues to tell us that it was this \u201cdrinking of this brook\u201d that provided Jesus with the required refreshment to \u201clift up the head\u201d in confidence and triumph. Just as the Psalmist David sang:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Psalms 3:3-6
But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the LIFTER OF MY HEAD.
I cried aloud to the Lord,
and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah
I lay down and slept;
I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.
I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
who have set themselves against me all around.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
The application is obvious for us: If Jesus needed to stop and drink of the \u201cbrook in the way\u201d<\/em> to keep His head lifted up, how much more do we need to put this invaluable practice into our lives!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The \u201cBrook\u201d is a Spring: Just Ask!<\/h5>\n\n\n
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One day, Jesus stopped along the way and expressed His need for refreshment to a Samaritan woman near a well. As usual for Jesus (who was always about His Father\u2019s business), the entire conversation switched Jesus\u2019 need to that woman\u2019s need. (I don\u2019t think Jesus ever did get the drink of water He originally asked for!) He told her about the springs of living water \u2013 something He knew about very well since He drank from those \u201csprings\u201d quite often! The key to getting that water is to ask:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
John 4:10
Jesus answered her, \u201cIf you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, \u2018Give me a drink,\u2019 you would have asked Him<\/em><\/strong>, and He would have given you living water.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
John 4:13-14
Jesus said to her, \u201cEveryone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again,
But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.\"<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
That conversation quickly segued into a discussion on worship. Another connection, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
John 4:23-24
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.
God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
The \u201cBrook\u201d is \u201cRivers\u201d Flowing from Within<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
A few chapters later, Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
John 7:37-39 (NASB)\nNow on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, \u201c If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.\nHe who believes in Me as the Scripture said, from his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.\"<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
John adds a parenthetical note here to clarify as to which experience Jesus was referring:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
John 7:37-39 (NASB)
But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
John explains that these \u201crivers of living water\u201d from one\u2019s \u201cinnermost being\u201d refer specifically to the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. This is the \u201cPromise of the Father\u201d which many would believe and receive beginning on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came. (See: Luke 24:49; Acts 1:5-8; Acts 2:1-4; Acts 2:32-33; Acts 2:36-39)<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is certainly no coincidence that, upon receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, believers also receive an unknown, but beautiful prayer language. As it turns out, being refreshed by drinking from the \u201cbrook in the way\u201d is all about prayer and worship:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Acts 2:4
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
And just what were they saying in those languages? They had no idea, but the bystanders from other nations did:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Acts 2:11-13
\u201c\u2026we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.\u201d
So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, \u201cWhatever could this mean?\u201d
Others mocking said, \u201cThey are full of new wine.\u201d<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
They were simply worshiping and magnifying God apparently with such joy and ecstasy that they appeared to be drunk that morning! Speaking in tongues is just that \u2013 it\u2019s powerful purpose is as a prayer language with which the believer speaks to God:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1 Corinthians 14:2
For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
The refreshing \u201cbrook in the way\u201d is not very far from those who have received this Baptism in the Holy Spirit. It is right inside of them! Hallelujah!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Paul goes on to tell the Corinthians more about this prayer language with which the Holy Spirit gifts the born-again believer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1 Corinthians 14:4\nOne who speaks in a tongue edifies<\/em><\/strong> himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
The word \u201cedify\u201d in Greek is \u201coikodomeo.\u201d \u201cOiko\u201d means a house, and \u201cdomeo\u201d means to edify and build up. \u201cOikodomeo\u201d is also translated as: \u201cconstruct, build up, establish, confirm, embellish, amplify, advance, strengthen, recharge, promote growth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOikodomeo\u201d is used in this verse about praying in that prayer language:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jude 1:20-21\nBut you, beloved, building yourselves up<\/em><\/strong> on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God\u2026<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Paul continues to explain to the Corinthians about the use of this prayer language:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1 Corinthians 14:13
Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Paul is explaining that just as there is a \u201cmanifestation of the Spirit\u201d (1 Cor 12:7-10) called the gift \u201cspeaking in tongues,\u201d there is also a \u201cmanifestation of the Spirit\u201d called \u201cinterpretation of tongues.\u201d In other words, there are times in which the Holy Spirit may give us the interpretation of what we are praying when we pray in tongues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How awesome is that! This is something I have experienced on many occasions. Each word we pray in tongues is directly aligned with God\u2019s perfect will and knowing that just fills the heart with confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Romans, Paul explains how the Holy Spirit assists us through our spiritual prayer language to pray according to God\u2019s perfect will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Romans 8:26-27\nLikewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.\nNow He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s continue reading what Paul says about this wonderful “brook” and “rivers” of the believer’s prayer language:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1 Corinthians 14:14-17
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
So we can pray in tongues, and we can sing in tongues! And, although it is a gift of the Holy Spirit, we can choose to pray or sing in this language just as easily as we do with our native language! This \u201cbrook\u201d of living waters is incredible!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1 Corinthians 14:16
Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say \"Amen\" at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
When we speak in tongues, it is directed towards God whether it be prayer, intercession, blessing or giving thanks in that unknown language. And notice the last sentence:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“For you indeed give thanks well!<\/em><\/strong>“<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sometimes, in our own language, words fail us as we try to worship and praise God. The old hymn says, \u201cO for a thousand tongues to sing my great redeemer\u2019s praise.\u201d<\/em> How refreshing to know that when we praise, sing, bless, worship, and give thanks to God in our spiritual language, we \u201cgive thanks well\u201d! How wonderful!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then Paul finishes with a simple and short, yet profound statement:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1 Corinthians 14:18
I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
If this prayer language gift were only given to but a few people, then Paul\u2019s statement could be condemned as being boastful and proud. But, quite the contrary, this gift is for everyone who asks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Luke 11:13
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
John 7:37
Jesus stood and cried out, saying, \u201cIf anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.\u201d<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Acts 8:14-17
\u2026they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
So Paul was not boastful at all. He was, by his own example, encouraging all believers to use this prayer language in fellowship with God as often as possible \u2013 everywhere and anywhere we might be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Brook \u2013 Rest and Refreshing<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Paul says more about this prayer language by unveiling an Old Testament prophecy which he directly connects to speaking in tongues (1 Cor 14:21-22; Isaiah 28:10-11). By making this connection, there is precious truth that bubbles out concerning this prayer language:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Isaiah 28:11-12\nTo whom he said, THIS IS THE REST<\/strong> wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and THIS IS THE REFRESHING<\/strong>: yet they would not hear.\u201d<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
What is the takeaway from this prophecy? The message that praying in tongues is the \u201cREST\u201d<\/strong> and the \u201cREFRESHING\u201d<\/strong>! Praying, praising, singing, and blessing in the spirit in unknown tongues is how we drink from \u201cbrook in the way\u201d as often as we so choose!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Brook is Always \u201cIn the Way.\u201d<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
This expression reveals that this drinking from the Brook is not merely for some special, mountain top, \u201csacred moments\u201d as some Christians believe. Rather, this drinking should be done all along the way \u2013 the \u201cway\u201d we take in our normal everyday life\u2019s journey!<\/p>\n\n\n
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More than ever before, people today realize just how important it is to stay hydrated with genuine H2O throughout the day. People with a water bottle in hand is a common sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Likewise, we must learn to drink from that \u201cbrook in the way\u201d and all along the way \u2013 in our \u201cgoing out\u201d and \u201d our coming in\u201d! We should never make the destructive error of separating the sacred from the secular. Instead, we must convert the secular moments into sacred opportunities by drinking deeply and frequently from the \u201cbrook\u201d \u2013 staying spiritually hydrated on a continual basis all throughout our day!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTherefore, He Shall Lift Up the Head.\u201d<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
A head bowed down speaks of shame, defeat, and discouragement. A head lifted high is a sign of faith, confidence, and triumph \u2013 the direct result of deep inner strength. The Psalmist David made this confession of faith:<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Psalm 27:6\nAnd now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;\nTherefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;\nI will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
When we drink often from the \u201cbrook in the way,\u201d our head will be lifted up also. We\u2019ll have rest and refreshment by using our spiritual language, and the Holy Spirit will edify, build up, and recharge our inner being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we give the Lord permission, He will raise our sensitivity to spiritual thirst. He can heighten our passion for staying spiritually \u201chydrated\u201d by giving us little inner alerts and reminders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So let\u2019s keep drinking from the \u201cbrook in the way\u201d which heals, refreshes, invigorates, edifies, and strengthens so that we, too, may lift our heads high and be the testimony this world needs to see more than ever before!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Drinking from the Brook in the Way Psalm 110:7He shall drink of the brook in the way:Therefore shall He lift up the head. Psalm 110 …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2745,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[267,276,11],"tags":[27,566,165,565,202],"class_list":["post-2744","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-baptism-in-the-holy-spirit","category-prayer","category-teachings","tag-baptism-in-the-holy-spirit","tag-jesus-prayer-life","tag-prayer","tag-rivers-of-living-water","tag-speaking-in-tongues"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Drink-from-the-Brook_Girl-Drinking-from-Hands_189323938_m_Cropped.jpg?fit=2500%2C1200&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pa8ofw-Ig","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2744","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2744"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2744\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2868,"href":"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2744\/revisions\/2868"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2745"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2744"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2744"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2744"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}