SWHW Bible Reading Plan: September 2021Sample

Top Takeaway from Emily Copeland:

What dream has God answered in your life recently? Has He given you something that you've been praying to receive for a long time? Maybe you've had a need that God went ahead and met before you even asked Him about it. 

In Ezekiel 47:1-12, we read about the vision that Ezekiel had of a river flowing from the temple. Spoiler alert: this vision was the answer to the Israelites’ dreams and a prophecy of the coming of the Holy Spirit. The new temple would be as beneficial as a flood of life-giving water to a dry desert. 

The prayer of God's people had been that He would restore Jerusalem, so Ezekiel's vision was not only welcomed but it was celebrated. God was breathing life back into the destruction (Ezekiel Chapters 8-11). This vision was an answered prayer, and the Israelites were here for it.

God wasn't just going to do a new thing, He was going to bring a new thing; the promise of the future Holy Spirit that represented life and fruitfulness. And, God wasn't going to leave the flow of water as a trickle, He would turn it into a flood. 

"He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in-- a river that no one could cross." (vs. 5)

The flood in this prophecy reveals God's heart and plan for His people:

1. Life will always flow from God alone. (vs. 1)

2. The running water (the Holy Spirit and His work) is intended to bring life wherever it flows. (vs. 9)

The people of Israel knew the power of a mighty flowing river of water. It was the lifeline of the Garden of Eden; it was the lifeline of those who lived in desert lands. But, even more importantly, they knew the critical importance of God's life-giving spiritual water. 

Just like the Israelites, we are prone to wander to other water sources, drinking from wells that only make us more thirsty: wells of success, importance, recognition, and accomplishments. 

God doesn't hide living water from us. It's not a guessing game as to which water source is designed to give us life. But, we find ourselves confused when we don't stay close to the Source of Life. We find ourselves lost when our curiosity takes us to other rivers that seem to give life, but only give an illusion of life such as significance in anything other than God's gift of salvation through Jesus.

Ezekiel's prophecy impacts us today as it is a reminder from God to never forget that life flows from God, and His gifts of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives will allow us to be streams of living water for the next person to see Jesus. 

Will we live today close to the Source? Will we float in the running water that brings us life instead of chasing streams around us that will only leave us thirsty? 

God, thank You for speaking to Your people in many ways. Thank You for diligently reminding us where real LIFE comes from and how we can stay connected to You, the Source. Guard our mind to help us see when we are tempted to check out other streams that promise life or happiness. Only You can give us what we need for a life of satisfaction and contentment, no matter what happens. We love You. Amen.