The Depth of the River

Scripture: Ezekiel 47:3-5

When the man went out toward the east with a line in his hand, he measured a thousand cubits, and he led me through the water, water reaching the ankles. Again he measured a thousand and led me through the water, water reaching the knees. Again he measured a thousand and led me through the water, water reaching the loins. Again he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not ford, for the water had risen, enough water to swim in, a river that could not be forded.

Insights: Today’s verses were really the key thrust of my sermon Sunday night.  Notice how quickly the trickle of water turns into a mighty river that can not be forded.  The different levels of depth are in many ways the way our Christian walk can be described.  Many of us get saved and our feet our now wet with ankle deep faith.  Some never leave this level of faith.  They are casual attenders of church and are not going to stretch and grow in their relationship with Jesus.  Others begin to grow, and for  sake of illustration, join a small group Bible study.  These individuals become knee deep Christ-followers.  Their faith has been stretched a little and they have walked out there a little bit further into the river, but they don’t want to be classified as a Jesus Freak or anything and they stop growing.  Still there is another group and they keep walking out in their faith into deeper water, which is up to their waste.  At this point they start to feel the thermal changes and start to feel the power of the current and they say, “This is far enough.  If I go any further it will not be safe.”  In other words, it is at this point they have possibly experienced some resistance or even some minor persecution and they are not will to risk it all for their love of Jesus.  There is still a fourth group, however, and these are the ones who desire to swim with Jesus.  They plunge into the deep waters of the river and their faith is tested and stretched beyond anything they could have imagined.  It is at this point, however, we need to be reminded of Hebrews 11:6 which tells us it is impossible to please God without faith.  We need to ask the Lord to increase our faith and then we need to actively obey His commands when He tells us to step into the deep water.  Beloved, let us live by faith and swim in the deep waters with the Lord.

Questions:

1.  Are you swimming by faith or just getting your feet wet?

2.  What God sized assignment has the Lord called you to that you have been resisting?

Prayer: Father, I am often times afraid to swim in the deep water, but every time I do, I am overwhelmed by Your grace and mercy.  You are wonderful and worthy of praise.  Increase my faith Lord, and let me swim with You.  Amen.