THE HEALING WATERS

"Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar. He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side. And when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist. Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed. He said to me, "Son of man, have you seen this? . . . This water flows toward the eastern region, goes down into the valley, and enters the sea. When it reaches the sea, its waters are healed. "And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes . . . But its swamps and marshes will not be healed; they will be given over to salt. Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary" (Ezek 47:1-12). Here is an intriguing text. God reveals to the prophet a different kind of water--water that flows from the sanctuary of God. It has remedial properties, and heals everything in its wake. It not only is fresh and refreshing, but brings life, vitality, and productivity. This is a depiction of the life of God in Christ Jesus, as made known through the Gospel. Notice that the waters became deeper and broader as they progressed. This is indicative of the nature of the Kingdom of God. At first, one could navigate in the waters, but at the last, their expanse was so great they were "water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed." These waters originated with God, and flowed to places of defilement. Only "swamps and marshes" were not affected by these mighty waters. The fruitage in the wake of this swelling river would not fail, and the leaves on the trees springing up on its bank would not wither! This is a revelation of the spiritual life that sprang up when the glad tidings of good things was announced to the sons of men. Allow me to paint a brief picture of the glories of these healing waters. These waters began to flow on the day of Pentecost. Then, through a convicting message, the waters washed over 3,000 souls, bringing moral and spiritual healing (Acts 2:41). The waters seemed to pick up momentum as they swept through the ancient city of Jerusalem. It is written that "many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand" (Acts 4:4). On the waters flowed, deepening and healing as they went! In the wake of the heavenly flood "believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women" (Acts 5:14). But the waters were growing deeper, and would not long be confined to the city of Jerusalem. The mighty waters flowed down to Samaria, where a deacon named Philip "preached Christ unto them." The healing that occurred was unparalleled. It is written, "the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city" (Acts 8:5-7). Continuing to flow, they reached out into a desert, washing over a political official from Ethiopia, inducing confidence and joy (Acts 8:39ff). Before long, these waters, like a rushing torrent of blessing, caught Saul of Tarsus in their wake, and he, renewed and healed, "straightway preached Christ," causing amazement in those who heard him, and increasing in spiritual strength (Acts 9:20-22). On the waters flowed, deepening and broadening as they went. Soon they were found in Caesarea, cleansing the entire household of a Gentile centurion named Cornelius (Acts 10). On the river flowed, gathering momentum! It washed over Salamis, Paphos, Perga, Pamphilia, Antioch of Pisidia, and Iconium, bringing spiritual renewal (Acts 11-13). The waters continued to flow into Lystra, where the hearers of the message could scarcely be restrained from offering sacrifice to the proclaimers, thinking the gods had come down to visit them (Acts 14:12ff). On to Philippi the waters moved, cleansing Lydia and a group of women who were praying by a river side (Acts 16:14ff). They even flowed into a prison in that city, purifying a jailor and his household (Acts 16:29ff). Gathering momentum, the waters moved into Greece, where they healed "Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them" (Acts 17:34). In Corinth the waters cleansed the ruler of the synagogue, his household, and many Corinthians (Acts 18:8). A powerful exhorter named Apollos was also changed in Corinth by these flowing waters (Acts 18:28). Time would fail to mention how pervasive these waters were! It is written that "all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks" (Acts 19:10). When they flowed into Ephesus, the people were shaken to the core, gathering their books of curious arts and burning them in public contrition, while confessing their deeds (Acts 19:18-20). They even washed upon the shores of a barbarous island, bring life to its inhabitants (Acts 28:2ff). Finally, in the citadels of Rome itself, the waters gushed out in providential grace (Acts 28:30- 31). O, child of God, the Gospel of Christ is a mighty force! It has brought life and vitality wherever men have had the courage to declare it. If ever the church will again return to its fervent and faithful proclamation, the river of healing water will begin to flow again! PRAYER POINT: Father, give me grace to never become accustomed to a lack of Kingdom productivity! Open my eyes and heart to see the greatness of the Gospel I have embraced, and to play a key role in bringing it to the sons of men.

-- MONDAY: SEEK GOD'S PRAISE! --