The Healing Waters

Oh, the joy of sins forgiv’n,
Oh, the bliss the blood-washed know,
Oh, the peace akin to Heav’n,
Where the healing waters flow.

Refrain
Where the healing waters flow,
Where the joys celestial glow,
Oh, there’s peace and rest and love,
Where the healing waters flow!

Now with Jesus crucified,
At His feet I’m resting low;
Let me evermore abide
Where the healing waters flow.

O, this precious, perfect love!
How it keeps the heart aglow,
Streaming from the fount above,
Where the healing waters flow.

Oh, to lean on Jesus’ breast,
While the tempests come and go!
Here is blessèd peace and rest,
Where the healing waters flow.

Cleansed from every sin and stain,
Whiter than the driven snow,
Now I sing my sweet refrain,
Where the healing waters flow.

Published in the early 1900’s and written by H.H. Heimar, I found the lyrics at one of my favorite research sights – www.hymntime.com.  One of the things this website does is provide a scripture reference for the hymn or for lyrics in this hymn. The passage of Scripture that scrolls across the screen for “The Healing Waters” is Jeremiah 17:13-14.  As you know, Jeremiah is tough book of the Bible to read sometimes. It is a book of judgment against God’s people because they had turned away from God and followed after idols.  Jeremiah was given some hard words to speak, but he did as the Lord commanded.  However, there are many verses in Jeremiah that can be of encouragement in the midst of God’s judgment.  Jeremiah 17:13-14 is one of those passages.  Jeremiah writes “….the Lord, the fountain of living waters. Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.”  Jeremiah knew that God was the one who could save and heal. That God was the fountain of living water – the water that can wash us clean and that can refresh and heal our bodies. Jesus said in John 7:38 “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”  I pray today that these living waters are flowing in your heart and in your life.  I pray today if you need healing in your body that God would send His healing waters and that you too will be healed.

Couple of comments on the lyrics:

• Oh, the joy of sins forgiv’n – In our day, when we speak of healing, our minds typically go to physical healing of our bodies. Yes, I believe that God can and does heal the physical man today.  But I am reminded by this song that the most important healing that can come is the healing of the soul – the forgiveness of sin.  In Matthew Chapter 9, the Bible tells us of Jesus’ encounter with a man with palsy.  Jesus told him “Your sins are forgiven.”  The scribes were upset with Jesus believing that He was blaspheming.  Jesus knew their thoughts and said “Which is easier, to say “Your sins are forgiven” or “Rise up and walk.”  To show that He had the power to do both (to heal the heart and the body), He told the man to get up and walk.  Jesus started with the most pressing need – to heal the heart and forgive sins.  But His power is not limited to just spiritual healings.  He has the power to say “Rise and walk” or “Be cleansed.”

• While the tempests come and go – I think the author has it right here.  He acknowledges the true that tempests come.  Life can be storm.  Trouble and tribulation will come at some point in our journey.  But he also reminds us that as they “come,” they also “go.”  The disciples encountered a storm.  Jesus said “Peace, be still.”  You, as a disciple of Christ, will not doubt encounter storms.  Jesus can for you today say “Peace, be still.”  He will be with us before, during, and after the tempests come and go.  That is His promise to you today.

Finally, there are three things the chorus of this song reminds us that we have as believers in Jesus – peace, and rest, and love. I thought it would be good to close this week with promises from our Lord – the one who gives rivers of living water:

(1) Peace – “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

(2) Rest – “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”

(3) Love – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”