Day 20: Lakes or Rivers
Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 47:1–12; John 7:37–39
Welcome to Day 20 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2023. This is Week 3, The Church Multiplied.
The Focus: “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, RIVERS OF LIVING WATER WILL FLOW from within them. By this He meant the Spirit.” (John 7:38–39)
The Meditation: “Rivers of living water will flow.”
A River from the Temple
Ezekiel was shown a trickle of water coming out from under the threshold of the temple. A man with a measuring line led him through it. At first it was ankle-deep. Then it reached his knees, and then his waist. In the end it was a river too deep to cross on foot (Ezekiel 47:1–5).
Where the River Goes, Everything Lives
The river flowed down towards the Dead Sea, and when it arrived the salt water became fresh. There were swarms of living creatures and great numbers of fish. Wherever the river flows, everything will live (Ezekiel 47:8–9). Fruit trees grew on both banks, bearing fruit every month, and their leaves were for healing (Ezekiel 47:12).
One detail is easy to pass over. The swamps and marshes did not become fresh. They were left for salt (Ezekiel 47:11). Water that stops moving does not give life.
Jesus Explains the River
On the last and greatest day of a festival in Jerusalem, Jesus stood and called out that anyone who is thirsty should come to Him and drink. Whoever believes in Him will have rivers of living water flowing from within them. John tells us that He was speaking about the Holy Spirit (John 7:37–39).
The river that Ezekiel saw coming from the temple now flows from people. Believers are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).
A Lake or a River?
A lake takes in and holds. A river receives and gives. Jesus did not promise that the Spirit would collect in us. He promised that the Spirit would flow out of us. We are filled so that others can live.
And notice that the river grew deeper the further it went. God invites us to go beyond ankle-deep.
Pray It Through
Come thirsty. Tell Jesus honestly that you are thirsty, and drink.
Go deeper. Where have you been content with ankle-deep? Ask the Spirit to take you further.
Let it flow. Who near you is dry? Ask God to bring life to them through you this week.
Prayer for Today
Lord Jesus, I am thirsty, and I come to You to drink. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit until rivers of living water flow out of me. Forgive me for holding on to what You meant me to pass on. Take me deeper than I have been before, and bring life wherever You send me. Amen.
Listen and Watch
Pastor Ras shares a short message for Day 20 in the audio and video below.
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