(Eze 47:5) Again he measured . . . and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim . . .
Learning how to swim was something we can all probably remember. We had to be taught the right technique and then gradually we moved into the water until we were told to let go and swim! That's like what Ezekiel experienced. Only the water wasn't a pool but the very river of God flowing from the yet future Messianic Temple. Are you ready to come off the banks of the river and get yourself wet from your ankles to full immersion? Then it's time to let go. Let's plunge into the river of God's love until we can't touch the bottom. Brothers and sisters in the Lord . . . LET'S GO DEEPER!
CONVERSION: Ezekiel is closing out his prophecy with a vision of the millennial Temple which included a river that flowed out from underneath the altar. In the Bible water is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and regeneration, or what we would call conversion today. (Titus 3:5) not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. “You must be born again!” (John 3:7)
AVERSION: Notice how Ezekiel didn't just jump into the river of God by himself. He had to be led by the Lord to the waters and through the waters. That's just like us. We seem to be hesitant to go deeper into the things of God. What might be some reasons? I don't understand it (1 Cor 2:14) . . . It's safer on the shore (Exo 14:15) . . . Afraid of being swept away (Acts 26:24) . . . Don't want to drown (Rom 6:4).
IMMERSION: Ezekiel eventually dipped his feet into the river up to his ankles. Then he was led to go further up to his knees. Then his waist. Finally, the water was so deep he had to swim in it. That's called going deeper. God is calling us to go deeper into the Christian life. Like Ezekiel, we need to keep moving forward until we just have to plunge in. The Bible says we go from STRENGTH TO STRENGTH (Psa 84:7), FAITH TO FAITH (Rom 1:17), and GLORY TO GLORY (2 Cor 3:18). God’s love is very deep and like a fish you will never drown in its depths! (Eph 3:17-19)
The Lord wants to heal the world through the waters of His love and salvation. (Eze 47:7, 12; John 7:38). He also wants to heal the nations. (Rev 22:2; Gal 5:22). That’s why it’s so important to go deeper, for we can never lead someone farther than we have gone ourselves.
Have you been afraid of taking that plunge into God's love for you in Christ? Have you been hesitating from going forward in the Christian life? Is something holding you back from advancing in your service for the Lord? Don't hesitate one moment further. The river of God is before you. You know what to do. LET'S GO DEEPER!
Louie
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