Wade Out A Little Bit Deeper

"After this, the man brought me back around to the east gateway. Suddenly, the glory of the God of Israel appeared from the east. The sound of His coming was like the roar of rushing waters, and the whole landscape shone with His glory."
(Ezekiel 43:1,2, NLT)

"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." (Ezekiel 47:1-5, NLT)

Ezekiel is a fascinating book. The vision of Ezekiel parallels and supports the vision of John in Revelation. Fascinating.

This vision is describing the New Jerusalem where we will dwell with the Most High God forever. Words cannot adequately illustrate the glory and majesty of that coming Day. It is beyond our comprehension.

But I would like to take these scriptures and apply them to us right here. Right now.

In chapter 43, Ezekiel describes the voice of the Lord as sounding like the roar of rushing waters. Then, in chapter 47, Ezekiel is brought BACK to the entrance of the temple where a river is flowing right out from the threshold near the altar. It is the same river of Living Water that is described in Revelation 22:2.

Could it also be symbolic of John 7:37,38? "On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out saying, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'"

Rivers of Living Water.
The sound of the glory of the Lord was like the roar of rushing waters.
The water was so deep Ezekiel could swim in it.

So, here's my thought.

The river definitely represents the glory of the Lord. His Holy Spirit within us even flows out of our hearts like rivers of Living Water. Ezekiel was led out into these waters at four different levels. First, he was ankle deep. Then he was in it to his knees. Next, the water was up to his waist and finally the water was so deep he could not cross it. He had no other option but to swim.

The Living Water of the Lord was so deep Ezekiel had to swim!

Where the Lord is there is joy unspeakable.
Where the Lord is there is peace that passes all understanding.
Where the Lord is there are more blessings than we can count.

What if Ezekiel had told the angel escorting him through this vision that he had gone far enough in that river? What if he hadn't trusted the Angel of the Lord and stayed on the shore? Would he have missed the enormity of God's blessings for him?

God wants to pour out His blessings on His children. He wants us to trust Him enough to wade out into the river of Living Water where the blessings of His Presence are so abundant we can't even walk through them - we have to swim!!

But it requires obedience.
It requires trust.
A lot of trust.

Will you dare to trust Him today? Go ahead. Stick your big toe in and get started. The water is just right.

Father, Why is total trust so difficult? Why? We can be so stubborn. Surely we trust You, yet we hang on to things just a little bit because, apparently, we think we can do a better job. Forgive us Lord. Increase our trust and our faith as we walk with You. You are a good God, full of mercy and grace. It is comforting to know that when we step out into the deep waters, You are with us. Yes, You are in the midst of the waters. Open our ears to hear Your voice calling us to wade out a little bit deeper. Thank You, Father.