LightGrams
April 27, 2017
Volume 21, Number 15
A miles-long section of the Scajaquada Creek took on a different appearance recently; very different. Photos of the creek, near Lancaster, New York, prior to this past Tuesday show a creek like most others: clear, relaxing, and a spot for fly fishermen. Since Tuesday, however, all that has changed. That creek now runs red.
At fault is a local company that markets mulch for home landscaping. About 175 gallons of a dye used in the preparation of the mulch leaked out. Yes, the red mulch around your home (if that’s what you have) probably isn’t natural, but dyed. The same now can be said for Scajaquada Creek. In time it will be hopefully be clear again.
This is not the first moving stream to suddenly turn red. To convince Pharaoh to let His people go, God brought plagues upon Egypt. The first of those is described in Exodus 7:20: “And Moses and Aaron did so, just as the Lord commanded. So he lifted up the rod and struck the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants. And all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.”
I much prefer clear water, and so do you, I suspect. If I had to choose whether my river be temporarily contaminated with dye or with blood, I’d choose the dye. By changing the Nile River to blood, “The fish that were in the river died, the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink the water of the river” (Exodus 7:21).
There was good news in this event: The combined force of this plague, along with the nine others that came upon Egypt, ultimately resulted in the freedom of the Israelites.
Another scarlet flow of water is found in Zechariah 13:1: “In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin, and for uncleanness.” To find the fulfillment of that intriguing prophecy one must go to John 19:34: “But one of the soldiers pierced [Jesus’] side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.” Though a small amount of liquid appeared that fateful day in Jerusalem, the effects have flowed mightily through the centuries.
In one of his visions John saw a great multitude standing before the throne of God, clothed in white robes. Their identity was then revealed to John: “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:14). Several years after Jesus’ side was pierced, the stream of blood was still flowing.
And it still flows! “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Never has there been such a river! Shall you and I gather at that river?
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2017, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
Permission to reproduce and/or use the messages for noncommercial purposes is freely granted provided the messages are not altered.