SEPTEMBER 10 – Reading 253

by John Christian Pra | September 10

“BRING ME DEEPER, LORD!”
(Ezekiel 44:1 – 48:35)

“And where the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes.” – Ezekiel 47:9

Most people don’t like going into deep water. It makes us feel out of control. A few years ago, while whitewater rafting in the Delaware River, a few friends and I hit a rock that jerked the boat and tossed us out into the raging rapid. This moment was intense and brought an adrenaline rush of fear at first and while trying to fight the rapid, it only got worse. But once we relaxed and let the river take us, we were brought to a place of safety where we regrouped and got back into the raft. 

The river will lead you to life if you let it. Here in Ezekiel, there was a river flowing out of the Temple that started as a small stream only ankle deep, but as you followed it, you went deeper and deeper until it was a raging torrent. This vision God is giving is the vision of what happens as we follow His Presence. 

God has a desire to bring us deeper in relationship with Him recognizing that the deeper we go, the more life we find. Surface-level Christianity has left many wanting and dissatisfied. What if your deepest desire was actually to go deeper with Jesus? To allow your life to be consumed by Him?

Ezekiel saw this river of God’s presence bring life everywhere it went. It turned the salty water fresh. It attracted fish and living creatures. It brought food and provision. 

This is what God desires for you. To bring you deeper into the river of life as you follow Him. Will you take the next step deeper with Him today?

Reflections:

• Do you fear a deeper relationship with God? Why?

   

• How have you gone deeper in your relationship with Jesus since you first were saved?
   

Application: 

• Write down 3 things you can do daily that will increase your intimacy with God and bring you deeper in your life with Him.

   

• Begin to pray that God will bring you deeper in your relationship with Him and see the different invitations He gives you as a result of those prayers.
   

Closing Prayer: 
Father God, you have a desire for us to go deeper in our relationship with you. Help me today as I step deeper into the river of Your presence. Teach me to long for more of you. Forgive me for my coldness of heart and for desiring other things that will never bring me life. Jesus, I pray that you would begin to bring me deeper in your love and that you would give me a great revelation of who you are and the life you bring. Amen.