Betty Whitaker Jackson

This project began almost three years ago while I was reading the book of Psalms. I began noticing water references, and saw each case as a metaphor, either of God’s provision, or desert times when my faith was not as strong as usual, and thought about images like coming to the well, the fountains of God’s blessings, and the crystal river promised in heaven. In my “there’s a book there somewhere” thoughts, I began reading for other cases in the Bible where water imagery is used. Why, for instance, is water a part of no fewer than four of the days of creation? Why is water in the Old Testament a symbol of God’s faithfulness: parting of the Red Sea, water pouring forth out of a rock, water splashed on the altar with Elijah’s challenge, Joseph dropped into a well, Noah’s ark, and the list goes on and on? So, I began to research. There are some 700+ references to water in the Bible! Jesus’ first miracle was to change water into wine. So, the study led to research, I began to write worship psalms, and an organizational pattern emerged, only to be updated at least five times to accommodate directions where God led my writing. During this period, for instance, I lost three friends to death, the Pulse nightclub and Parkland shooting happened, and I alone was present when my brother ended his battle with cancer and entered the glory of heaven while I sang to him and he glimpsed heaven. I entered a personal period of depression. How else could I have penned the section of desert times without the personal experience of walking through the valley of the shadow of death? My Psalms on sorrow, suffering, mortality, aging are heartfelt and passionate.

In my prayer times, God gave me understanding of His sovereignty, the magnificence of creation, the order and attention to detail  He faithfully allows us to see, the promises of mercy, forgiveness, and acceptance as His child, with the glory of heaven in our future because He loved us enough to send Jesus. I am amazed by the history of His patience in Psalm 78. I am thrilled to live at this time and in this place, and know that I am surrounded by Clouds of Witnesses to encourage my faith walk. We do not know our God from afar, but from the perspective after the cross, ascension, and Pentecost power as not only Sovereign Lord, but as Abba, Father. I am overwhelmed by His love as a result of writing this book.

My hope now is that it will be a blessing to those who read it. The title, I hope, says it all: “Life-Changing Water. Chaos to Glory: a Metaphor Study”.  Each entry includes: an original titled psalm; scripture references, many with water imagery; a Think About It devotional; prayer, discussion questions and references, and a journal page.

The table of contents:

TABLE OF CONTENTS:  SECTION ONE

RECOGNIZING GOD’S ABUNDANT WATER

God Providing Creation and Sustenance

Chaos                              My Psalm 200                         1

Order                               My Psalm 201                        7

Mercy                              My Psalm 202                        13

Sovereignty                    My Psalm 203            19

Faithfulness                    My Psalm 204                        26

Power                              My Psalm 205                        32

 

God Speaking in Rain, Snow, Ice, and Clouds

Promise                          My Psalm 206                         38

Renewal                      My Psalm 207                         42

Growth                        My Psalm 208                         47

Deliverance                   My Psalm 209                         53

Personal Presence        My Psalm 210                        60

 

God Teaching in Tempests and Storms

Trials                           My Psalm 211                         69

Conflict                        My Psalm 212                         76

Anxiety                        My Psalm 213                         82

Confusion                      My Psalm 214                         87

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS:  SECTION TWO

THIRSTING FOR GOD IN LIFE’S DESERTS

Broken Cisterns: Rejecting God’s Laws

Defiance                                  My Psalm 215               95

Prioritizing                              My Psalm 216             102

Procrastination                       My Psalm 217             108

Secularism                              My Psalm 218             114

Materialism                            My Psalm 219             120

 

Drip, Drip of Water: Ignoring God’s Power

Annoyance                              My Psalm 220             128

Impatience                              My Psalm 221             135

Broken Relationships              My Psalm 222          141

Temptation                             My Psalm 223             148

Addiction                                 My Psalm 224             154

Hurting Families                     My Psalm 225             159

 

Desert Drought: Craving God’s Mercy

Suffering                                 My Psalm 226             170

Loneliness                               My Psalm 227             177

Deprivation                             My Psalm 228             184

Depression                              My Psalm 229             191

Physical Insufficiency/ Aging  My Psalm 230        198

Mortality                                 My Psalm 231             204

Sorrow                                     My Psalm 232             209

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS:  SECTION THREE

RESPONDING TO GOD’S RIVER OF LIFE

Surrendering to God’s Call

Decision                                  My Psalm 233             218

Invitation                                 My Psalm 234             223

Coming to the Well                  My Psalm 235           229

Repentance                             My Psalm 236             234

Cleansing                                My Psalm 237             239

Refreshment                           My Psalm 238             246

Restoration                             My Psalm 239             252

 

Bathing in Fountains, Springs, Rivers, and Seas

Peace                                      My Psalm 240             259

Forgiveness                             My Psalm 241             265

Confidence                              My Psalm 242             270

Sanctification                          My Psalm 243             274

 

Sharing the Living Water

Evangelizing                            My Psalm 244           280

Preparing                                My Psalm 245             287

Discipling                                My Psalm 246             292

Serving                                    My Psalm 247             297

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS:  SECTION FOUR

DELIGHTING IN THE LORD’S PRESENCE FOREVER

The River of The Water of Life in Heaven

Hope                                        My Psalm 248            309

Assurance                                My Psalm 249           316

Glory                                       My Psalm 250             322

Praise                                      My Psalm 251             329

Author Page                                                                 333