Test the Waters
When we want to go swimming, but don’t know how cold the water is, we will usually dip our toes and test it. If the water is to our liking, we might dive in. If we’re not sure, we might go slowly and get used to it, first. It seems these days there are more and more people trying to scam us.
- Email – “You have been chosen to help a prince who was unfairly cheated out of his money, and he will gladly give you part of it.” (just give us your bank account info, etc.)
- Web sites – “Click here, or you will miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
- Social media – This incredibly good-looking, perfect person wants to get to know you better (they have a great “investment” opportunity for you, also).
- Radio/TV – “If you don’t buy our product, you’ll be sorry.”
How do we know who or what to trust? Sometimes, we need to “test the waters.” Other times, we see the waters are good, so it’s time to go!
Ezekiel was a prophet to the people of Judah who had been taken captive to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar. The temple had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. God gave Ezekiel a very detailed vision of a new temple.
Earlier in this vision, Ezekiel saw the Spirit of God entering the temple. Now, he sees a trickle of water coming out from under the south side of the temple, heading east. At first, the water was just a trickle.
Ezekiel 47:1-5 (NASB)
1 Then he brought me back to the door of the house; and behold, water was flowing from under the threshold of the house toward the east, for the house faced east. And the water was flowing down from under, from the right side of the house, from south of the altar.
2 He brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around on the outside to the outer gate by way of the gate that faces east. And behold, water was trickling from the south side.
3 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.
4 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.
5 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.
Deeper and Deeper Water
The further they go, the deeper the water gets. The angel with Ezekiel shows him trees on the river bank that are being watered by this river.
Ezekiel 47:8-9 (NASB)
8 Then he said to me, “These waters go out toward the eastern region and go down into the Arabah; then they go toward the sea, being made to flow into the sea, and the waters of the sea become fresh.
9 “It will come about that every living creature which swarms in every place where the river goes, will live. And there will be very many fish, for these waters go there and the others become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes.
Purifying Water
This water brings life to everyone and everything it touches. In the Bible, water usually symbolizes the Holy Spirit. The further we are willing to go with God, the deeper the water gets. This water purifies us and fills us; it brings new life. Without the water, we will die of spiritual thirst.
Ps.42:1 – “As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God.”
Malachi 3:10 (NASB)
10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.
The Test of Tithing
Tithing is a big step for most people. God instructed His people in the Old Testament to give to Him (through the priests) the first 10% of their increase – possessions, income, etc. Most of us work hard for our money, and there never seems to be enough to do everything we want. Malachi 3:10 is the only place in the Bible where God says specifically to test Him. It’s interesting that it involves trusting Him with our money.
This is another step getting us deeper.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NASB)
18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
From Glory to Glory
As we walk with Christ – in Christ – we are being changed.
The further we go, the more we are cleansed.
The further we go, the deeper we go.
The further we go, the more like Jesus we become.
Change is hard; sometimes, it hurts. Sometimes, it’s hard to trust God “one more time.” That was the case with a man who came to Jesus. His son was possessed by a demon. It was torturing his son, causing him to have fits.
Mark 9:21-24 (NASB)
21 And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood.
22 “It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!”
23 And Jesus said to him, ” If You can? All things are possible to him who believes.”
24 Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”
Believing One More Time
Since the boy was a young child, this father had been trying everything. Nothing worked, no matter how hard he tried or how much he “believed.” This father heard about Jesus healing others. He was afraid to get his hopes up. He asked for Jesus to help his unbelief.
He asked Jesus to help him take one step deeper.
Jesus did help, and He healed his son.
Luke 13:18-19 (NASB)
18 So He was saying, “What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it?
19 “It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and threw into his own garden; and it grew and became a tree, and THE BIRDS OF THE AIR NESTED IN ITS BRANCHES.”
A Mustard Seed
A mustard seed is very small. When it is planted and watered and gets enough sun, it grows into a full tree – many times larger than the small seed that was planted.
John 12:24-25 (NASB)
24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
25 “He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.
Spiritual Death and Resurrection
We have to die to ourselves, so we can live in Christ. We have to be willing to keep going deeper with Christ. If we do, we will grow and flourish. We will also see others around us benefit, and the kingdom of God will grow – eternally.
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