The River

Ezekiel 47:12 (English Standard Version)
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

12And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing."

Rivers have always been important in our world. Most major cities are built along rivers or bodies of water to enable transportation and to provide drinking water. The river that Ezekiel mentions in the above prophecy is similar but yet very different. This river flows from the Temple of God and its waters are very special. This river will flow into the Dead Sea and the sea will have life including many different kinds of fish. Today, the Dead Sea has no exit. The water enters and becomes "dead". Evaporation and absorption are the only exits for the water and so it has become unsuitable for life.

But this new river will be different. Look at verse twelve and its description of life along the river bank. The tree leaves do not wither and they bear fresh fruit every month because of the water flowing from God.

So what, you may ask. What does this have to do with me? Everything, my friend. When we "plant" ourselves along God's riverbank, our roots absorb His goodness and we can become more Christ-like. Our faith grows and our lives bear fruit constantly, not just occasionally. Spend time with God in prayer, reading, study, song, and fellowship and your faith will grow. Don't let your faith become stagnant. Instead be like the trees along the river flowing from the sanctuary.

To His Glory

Mark