LET THE RIVER OF LIFE FLOW

KEY VERSE
“Whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live; and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.” — Ezekiel 47:9

INTRODUCTION

When the great river of God begins to flow, the focus will not be on the vessel or the channel through which it flows—the organization, denomination, or human vessel. Instead, all attention will be on the river itself. This river will be so powerful, so unlimited, and so God-directed that no one will be able to take credit for it. It will be the work of the Holy Spirit alone.

MESSAGE

In Ezekiel’s vision, he describes five distinct depths of water flowing from the temple of God (Ezekiel 47:2-5). First, there was just a trickle, then ankle-deep water, knee-deep water, loin-deep water, and finally, it became a river so deep that one could swim in it—a river that could not be passed over. These varying depths have been interpreted in different ways by Bible scholars. Some believe they represent stages of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, while others see them as stages of spiritual maturity.

One thing is certain: if we follow the analogy of a natural river, it eventually flows into the sea. In Scripture, the sea is often symbolic of the nations, indicating that the river emanating from God is meant to flow through you—His temple—and reach the nations of the world. This river will flow deep and wide, and no one will be beyond its reach.

THE DIRECTION OF THE FLOW

The direction of the river’s flow is significant as well:
“…These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.” (Ezekiel 47:8)

In Isaiah 14:17, we see that Satan caused the world to become a wilderness. Here, however, we see the river of God flowing into the wilderness to bring new life. The sea mentioned here refers to the Dead Sea, symbolic of the dead, fallen state of humanity. The river of God’s living water is being released into the temple of God—the Body of Christ corporately—and into you individually as a member of that Body.

THE CALL TO FLOW INTO THE WILDERNESS

This river is meant to flow through you into the wilderness of this world, bringing new life to a lost and dying world. The waters will bring healing wherever they flow.

“Whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live; and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.” (Ezekiel 47:9)

Wherever the river flows, everything and everyone it touches will live. Along the banks of this river, fishermen will be gathering a tremendous catch of fish, which represents the souls of men and women (Ezekiel 47:10). Where there was no harvest before, there will now be a great spiritual harvest of souls.

God desires for this river of His manifested presence to flow through you—into the wilderness of this world and the Dead Sea of sinful humanity. His river brings life wherever it flows.

CONCLUSION

God wants to use you as a channel through which His river flows. The living water from God is being poured out, and it is meant to bring life wherever it goes. There are souls in need of salvation, healing, and restoration, and the river of God has the power to touch every single one of them.

Let us cry out from the depths of our hearts, “Oh God, let the river flow!” Let His living waters flow through you, bringing life to every dry place and every lost soul.

PRACTICAL REFLECTION

The river of God is moving. Will you allow it to flow through you? Ask God to make you a channel of His river, touching lives and bringing healing wherever you go. Let the river flow through you into the wilderness and see how God uses you to bring new life to the world.

SIMPLE SUMMARY

The river of God’s manifested presence is flowing, and wherever it touches, life will spring forth. As a believer, you are called to be a vessel through which this river flows—bringing life to the lost, healing to the broken, and restoration to the world. Let the river flow through you!

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, let Your river of life flow through me, reaching the lost and bringing healing wherever I go.
2. Lord, use me as a channel to bring the living waters to those in need.
3. Holy Spirit, intensify the flow of Your power in my life. Let it touch every area of my being and extend to the world around me.

FURTHER STUDY

• John 7:37-39
• Ezekiel 47:1-12
• Acts 2:17-18
• Revelation 22:1-2
• Isaiah 55:1-3