Through the Bible: EzekielSample
Flowing With The Lord
The man then took me out of the Temple area by way of the north gate and led me around to the gate that faces east. A small stream of water was flowing out at the south side of the gate. … With his measuring rod the man measured … 560 yards, and the water came up to my knees. Another 560 yards farther down, the water was up to my waist. … Wherever the stream flows, there will be all kinds of animals and fish. The stream will make the water of the Dead Sea fresh, and wherever it flows, it will bring life.
Ezekiel 47:2-4, 9 (shortened, GNT)
In Ezekiel 40-48, Ezekiel describes his vision of the future Temple. In chapters 47-48, he looks outside the Temple. A stream of water flows out from the Temple. Following the stream, he discovers it goes from ankle-deep to waist-deep, then into a full-blown river that flows into the Dead Sea. The stream’s fresh water brings life wherever it flows, causing trees on the riverbank to have leaves all year round and to never stop bearing fruit.
So it is with us as we flow with the Lord. We begin ankle-deep, then knee-deep, waist-deep, then so deep that we cannot touch the bottom. Over time, God takes us deeper. Rather than resist, we must allow ourselves to go deeper with Him. Moreover, our lives in Christ bring life to the world around us – the trees on the riverbank. As we flow with God, His Spirit enables us to channel His redemptive love to restore the broken, heal the hurting, and ultimately, bring the lost back to Him.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your streams of life-giving water. As we flow with You, take us deeper. Help us channel Your love and hope to the hurting world around us. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Scripture
About this Plan
By the river Chebar, Ezekiel prophesied both judgement and hope to the exiles of Judah, who were just removed from the Promised Land. Although the people cried out, “Our bones are dried up and our hope is lost,” Ezekiel reassured them that God would always provide a way to restore His people. Punishment is grueling, but sometimes it is meant to bring us back to repentance and humility before God.
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