River of Life
Greetings in the Lord!
Today's word comes from Ezekiel 47; it is about the river of Life that flows out of the Temple of the Lord. In a vision, the prophet tells of a small stream of water flowing out from the entrance of the Temple. It was ankle deep as first, but with every 1,750 feet the water got deeper and deeper until one had to swim across to the other side. Along its banks were fruit trees and many other trees, full and green all year, because of the life-giving water their roots tapped in to; every month fruit was produced for food and the leaves were for healing. So the prophet understood the vision--whatever received this life-giving water from the Temple of the Lord would turn fresh and support life--fish could live there, animals drink from it and all kinds of plant life flourish. The leaves from the trees gave healing and its fruit provide nourishing food. The river could even change the Dead Sea into fresh water, full of living things. "But the marshes and swamps will not be purified; they will still be salty." Yes, stagnant areas that do not/will not receive life-giving waters will be too salty for living things.
It is a great reminder that God can heal and restore anything--even lifeless places like the Dead Sea, if it will receive the Life-giving waters of the Lord. It is a principle of God Almighty--He gives life. He heals and redeems. It is a faithful and unchanging attribute of God. And it is one that can be overlooked or forgotten, easily taken for granted as well. In our day to day life, we see those that reject God and pursue godlessness and godless things as if they could attain spiritual life there--but they are wrong. Even worse, we might think they or we are unredeemable because of our sin. But it isn't so. The River of Life is for all who will receive Him. For all who will lay down their lifeless idols at the foot of Jesus and receive Him, they will receive eternal Life. It sounds so Old Testament-ish to talk about rejecting life-less idols, but I see idol/pagan worship being encouraged more and more on social media--especially by those in the music and movie industry. How unfortunate! They use their very public platform and influence to try and persuade impressionable minds to worship devils, even while their own lives are full of trouble and discontent. But I can't throw rocks! I remember how the Lord saved me from that very same mire when I was a young adult. And I am so very thankful of that! Like a burning stick pulled from the fire before it was completely consumed--that was me. And so, I promised from then on to serve Him forever and so I do, the best I know how. Thankfully, I can count on His mercy when I repent. He is a forgiving God, One that knows our hearts better than we do. So, as the song goes, 'Come to the River' and drink of His life-giving waters. Idols are nothing at all.
~Be blessed and be a blessing.
Today's word comes from Ezekiel 47; it is about the river of Life that flows out of the Temple of the Lord. In a vision, the prophet tells of a small stream of water flowing out from the entrance of the Temple. It was ankle deep as first, but with every 1,750 feet the water got deeper and deeper until one had to swim across to the other side. Along its banks were fruit trees and many other trees, full and green all year, because of the life-giving water their roots tapped in to; every month fruit was produced for food and the leaves were for healing. So the prophet understood the vision--whatever received this life-giving water from the Temple of the Lord would turn fresh and support life--fish could live there, animals drink from it and all kinds of plant life flourish. The leaves from the trees gave healing and its fruit provide nourishing food. The river could even change the Dead Sea into fresh water, full of living things. "But the marshes and swamps will not be purified; they will still be salty." Yes, stagnant areas that do not/will not receive life-giving waters will be too salty for living things.
It is a great reminder that God can heal and restore anything--even lifeless places like the Dead Sea, if it will receive the Life-giving waters of the Lord. It is a principle of God Almighty--He gives life. He heals and redeems. It is a faithful and unchanging attribute of God. And it is one that can be overlooked or forgotten, easily taken for granted as well. In our day to day life, we see those that reject God and pursue godlessness and godless things as if they could attain spiritual life there--but they are wrong. Even worse, we might think they or we are unredeemable because of our sin. But it isn't so. The River of Life is for all who will receive Him. For all who will lay down their lifeless idols at the foot of Jesus and receive Him, they will receive eternal Life. It sounds so Old Testament-ish to talk about rejecting life-less idols, but I see idol/pagan worship being encouraged more and more on social media--especially by those in the music and movie industry. How unfortunate! They use their very public platform and influence to try and persuade impressionable minds to worship devils, even while their own lives are full of trouble and discontent. But I can't throw rocks! I remember how the Lord saved me from that very same mire when I was a young adult. And I am so very thankful of that! Like a burning stick pulled from the fire before it was completely consumed--that was me. And so, I promised from then on to serve Him forever and so I do, the best I know how. Thankfully, I can count on His mercy when I repent. He is a forgiving God, One that knows our hearts better than we do. So, as the song goes, 'Come to the River' and drink of His life-giving waters. Idols are nothing at all.
~Be blessed and be a blessing.
Comments