Ezekiel 47:1-5- In my vision, the man brought me back to the entrance of the Temple. There I saw a stream flowing east from beneath the door of the Temple and passing to the right of the altar on its south side. The man brought me outside the wall through the north gateway and led me around to the eastern entrance. There I could see the water flowing out through the south side of the east gateway.
Measuring as he went, he took me along the stream for 1,750 feet and then led me across. The water was up to my ankles. He measured off another 1,750 feet and led me across again. This time the water was up to my knees. After another 1,750 feet, it was up to my waist. Then he measured another 1,750 feet, and the river was too deep to walk across. It was deep enough to swim in, but too deep to walk through.
As believers In Jesus, we can look forward to two exciting opportunities. The first is to look forward in faith to the heavenly temple (our eternal dwelling place with God). From it flows the river of God whose waters bring life and healing to everything in its path. The second is to understand that we can walk in the river of God now. We have within us the Holy Spirit and God’s resurrection power, which in God’s hands we are instruments to extend His healing.
Ezekiel also gives us a picture of our journey with God, walking increasingly through the depths of faith:
At ankle-deep, we enter with no obstacles, our feet are on the ground and can move quite effortlessly through the shifting water.
At knee-deep, we remain in "control", our feet are still able to touch the bottom, and we continue to move freely without reservation.
As we transition to waist-deep, it is here we experience the weightiness of the water’s pressure which is able to influence our movement as the currents get stronger. Even though our feet are still on the ground, our sense of "control" is being challenged. The ways we have responded to the past “depths" are no longer valid, as it is harder to resist the currents on our own.
THEN…at just the right moment...we are invited into a depth that can no longer be approached in our own strength. The very tips of our toes trying to hold on to the last bit of ground, now moving into suspended water. The “control” we once had is surrendered fully to the ONE who surrounds us. We are not tossed about by moving currents, as we are at a depth with God that cannot be measured by human understanding.
Ephesians 3:18-19- And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Isaiah 43:2a-When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.
❤️ May you know the depth of His love for you, it is as deep as the ocean, a safe place where you can let go and trust the ONE who carries you through the waters. They will not overtake you. He is with you always! ~love u
