Inspiration Behind the Song Cascading River of Love
In the Bible there is mention on many who are going through difficult times. Oftentimes during those times there is a call out to God. It is an urgency to find relief from hard times. God is faithful. The image of water falling down reminds me of how the Holy Spirit floods our souls. There are a few verses in the Bible that bring home these ideas.
The First Verse
The first thought is similar to the words found in Isaiah 43:12 “Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.“
“When My heart is dry like the desert day. And my life is cracked like the dried-out clay”
As the song starts out the protagonist finds they are in a very dry desert place. We have all been there. This is not a pleasant place to exist. It becomes a time to seek help. As the song continues there is a desire to find relief.
“Every part of me thirsts for one small drink of pure Living Water to rain down on me. “
“O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1
The source of Living Water is found in Jesus. He is Living Water that give us a new life. As Jesus says in John 4:14: “but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”
That is wonderful and great promise for Christ followers.
The Chorus
“Cascading River of Love Pour Down on Me”
The picture I wanted to paint in the chorus is the act of receiving God love. Specially the word “Cascading” It describes a rapid, succession of downpour in large amounts. It does not happen just once but it builds. That is how the Holy Spirit works. He constantly at work in the believer’s life.
There are many famous waterfalls in the world. On of them is Niagara Falls. The amount of water that pour down constantly is amazing. There is tremendous power in this and other waterfalls. But the power behind these forces of nature is nothing compared to the power of God the creator of all thing.
The river represents a journey or path it is constantly on the move. It is always in motion
Then there is Love. Love is God’s greatest attribute. He is epitome of Love. It is his nature. Jude 1:2 says, “May God’s mercy, peace and love cascade over you”
“Every single drop I freely receive. Fill my cup to the top let love overflow. Let it go, let it flow”
What is important is the desire and request for more. That is what the protagonist is calling out to receive.
Second Verse
“Cleanse me from the dirt dwelling deep inside. Purify my heart, take away my pride. Saturate my soul with your lavish love”
Water has another property that is just like the Holy Spirit and that it’s cleansing power. The priest in Israel would go thorough ceremonial cleansing before ministering in the temple. However, Jesus being Living Water cleanses us from all sin. That is the good. Water baptism is an act of Christ followers of a new life in Christ. The Psalmist cries out in Psalm 51:2
“Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”
Likewise, there is this verse found in Acts 22:16
“Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.”
“Like a rushing current from God’s holy throne”
In Revelation we get to see a glimpse of heaven. John, at the end of the book, describes the throne and the current that flow from it.
“Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” Revelation 22:1-2
The Bridge
In the bridge of the song there are three attribute that are God’s gift to believers. They are love, grace and mercy. These are the things that we need. Receiving them is how to life a better life. It is how we need to treat each other. This is the cure for a spiritually dry desert place.
Pour Down Your Love
Pour Down Your Grace
Pour Down Your Mercy on me
Fill me with Love
Fill me with Grace
Fill me with mercy so great.
Finale
The idea behind the song is how much God loves people. Even though someone might be in a dry desert place; God can cleanse and refresh through the Holy Spirt. The imagery of water cascading represents the magnitude of love. My desire is that this song will encourage Christians that there is hope even when being down spiritually.
Cascading River of Love is a song written and performed by John Pape
