Friend, there is a fountain we can freely come to satisfy our thirst that will never dry out. Spiritual refreshment for the day ahead. Hope to cling to when we feel parched and depleted. Jesus Christ is the quencher of our soul’s desire and He said, “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life,” (John 4:14). Come, and be filled.
~Word for Life Says
Friend, isn’t it encouraging to know that no dismal state, regardless of how low the clouds may hang or how much shade is cast over one, who we are or were, through Christ, is made totally new. The grace of His love and sacrifice given to us is a picture so wonderful, who would not want to turn to Him and receive this great exchange? For He will “Give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified” (Isaiah 61:3).
~Word for Life Says
“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13).
Ah, my friends, a mighty move took place at the moment of salvation. Physically, your position and status of life may not look different, but spiritually, you were translated. You were taken from where you were and placed in a better position. You were taken from the power of darkness and delivered to the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Who you were identified as before no longer exists spiritually. While in this world there may be remnants, consequences, or residual effects from the previous walk, but in the spirit, we are free. In this new life, those identification markers do not exist. The things that bound you or tried to attach themselves to you are subdued under the power of God because now you are His. Now, you breathe the breath of each day differently. Now, your walking and thinking patterns do not follow those previous footsteps. Now, there is freshness. Now, you are a member of a new family. Now, you are a part of a kingdom that will never fail, nor will it ever fade. Eternally, you have been translated there.
Now, our souls are happy. Now, even if it doesn’t seem so conditionally, our spirits have been liberated to new life. Now, because of what He has done, we cannot help but “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light” (Colossians 1:12).
The move has taken place. And thanks be to the Lord Jesus Christ “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:14), has secured this translation for us.
Text Free Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay
One day, Jesus, walking with His disciples, felt compelled to go through Samaria (John 4:4). Resting on a well while His disciples proceeded into the city to buy food (v.8), He had an encounter with a woman from Samaria who came seeking water (v.7). Seeing her intent, Jesus asked, “Give me to drink.”
Her response was nothing unusual for the days they lived in. Knowing the animosity that was between the Jews and the Samaritans, she stated what was to her a normal fact: “How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans” (v.9).
Jesus, bypassing her hesitation to reach her heart, said to her, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:10, 14; emphasis added).
Water is life-sustaining. No matter what climate or environment one dwells in, water is a mandatory need that must be met to thrive physically. For Jesus, to identify what He has to offer as “water springing up into everlasting life” is triumphal. It meets the soul’s deepest need and satisfies all that is required spiritually for one to enter life everlasting.
Living water springing up into everlasting life is picturesque of this lesson. In this portion of Ezekiel’s visions (for he had many), there is a life-giving river that flows from the sanctuary of God, healing all it touches much like our Lord promised the woman at the well of Samaria.
Ezekiel 47:1, 2 “Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar. Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side.”
When traveling through uncharted, unfamiliar territories, places where your feet have not stepped before, nor have your eyes seen, it is always wise to have someone along who can lead the way and show you things you may miss or not understand.
During this vision, Ezekiel has such a person to help him navigate and understand what he is witnessing. The one escorting him is simply referred to as “the man” (Ezekiel 40:1-4), or “he” here in verse 1.
The Bible does not clarify who “the man” is, but he has walked with Ezekiel through several visions, unfolding the truth of each one along the way.
Whoever “the man” was, he knew his way around and he knew what he was talking about. Therefore, Ezekiel, in faith, continued to follow his lead, learning what God wanted him to learn along the way. Truths for himself. Truths for the people of the day. And truth for us as well.
In this lesson, he is brought back to the door of the temple, or “house.” It was here that he saw something unusual and out of the ordinary. Water was flowing from under the threshold of the door of the temple. This was a sight to see for Ezekiel, but even more so for us being that other verses of the Bible speak of the same thing occurring.
Joel 3:18 speaks about “a fountain shall come forth out of the house of the LORD.” And Zechariah 14:8 tells us, “living waters shall go out from Jerusalem.”
Traveling to the end of the Bible, there is a very vivid picture of this life-giving river and its source which was “Proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb” (Revelation 22:1).
Ezekiel became an eyewitness to a phenomenon of God. A miracle was unfolding before his eyes, reminding us of what the prophet Isaiah once wrote: “Every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters…” (55:1).
There is a miracle unfolding in the house of God for all who will come to Him.
The man had taken Ezekiel out of the north gate and brought him around to the gate that “looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side” (v. 2).
Some may ask why they traveled this path? Why not just go directly out the east gate to witness this phenomenon?
Let us travel back in history a bit to find out.
First, let’s talk about Ezekiel and why he was having these visions in the first place. He was a prophet/priest who was ministering God’s word to the captives in Babylon, and unfortunately, they were noted as being rebellious people (Ezekiel 2:3,7).
Through many demonstrations and illustrations, God relayed His message through Ezekiel to the people. Then, we reach Ezekiel 8, where in another vision, Ezekiel is shown the following: “Son of man, seest thou what they do? even the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary?…” (Ez. 8:6).
Reaching Ezekiel 10, he then saw God’s glory depart from the temple because of the wickedness of the people.
By the time we reach Ezekiel 43, and after much goings on in between the two references, the Bible tells us, “And the glory of the Lord came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east” (Ez. 43:4).
Because of this, Ezekiel 44:2 says, “Then said the Lord unto me; This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the Lord, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut.” So, no man can tread through there.
Ezekiel 47:3-5 “And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins. Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.”
After coming out of the gate and witnessing the “waters on the right side” (v. 2), our focus is then brought back to “the man” who was leading Ezekiel through this vision, and who now has a measuring “line in his hand.”
Moving “eastward,” in the same direction as the water flow, the man began to take measurements. Marking out “a thousand cubits” following the water flow, they found the waters to be to the “ankles.”
Measuring in “cubits” was the normal practice of the day. It was usually the length of a man’s elbow to the top of his middle finger, or approximately 18 inches long.
The man repeats his measurements of “a thousand cubits” three more times. Going through the waters till we see the measurements and the depth of the water reach the “knees,” the “loins,” and lastly, until the waters are too deep for wading and the only choice left was to “swim” in it.
Although we are not given specifics for the growing depth and spreading of the waters, we fully appreciate all they touch and the effects they produce.
Ezekiel 47:6-10 “And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river.
Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other.
Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.
And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.
And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many.”
The man, addressing Ezekiel asked, “Son of man, hast thou seen this?”
In previous visions, when he witnessed the wickedness of the people and their abominations of worship, he probably wished he could unsee and forget that horrible sight. But now, what he sees is so wonderful and so refreshing, because what he is witnessing is a testament to what God wants to do through His mercy and restoration power.
The Bible says, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). Yet, God allowed Ezekiel this illustrative preview of the glorious.
God has stuff in store that will blow your mind, and you want to be very attentive to see every bit of it.
“Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river. Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other.” Where the water flowed, vegetation appeared in abundance. Both sides of the river were thick with “trees.”
Trees that are planted by water tend to do great in their growth. All they absorb from the river gives them the nutrients to not only develop and increase, but to thrive (compare Psalm 1:3). One may assume that’s why there are “very many” of them present in the vision.
“Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.” No wonder there are so many trees. “These waters” are healing waters. This is the result of flowing from the sanctuary. Anything that flows from where God resides must be healed or made whole.
That little trickle that started at the threshold impacted everything it touched, and what follows is abundance. They are experiencing an outpouring of the bounty of God’s power in action. God has the cure for everything that needs to be restored!
“And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.” Don’t you love it when you see the word “shall” attached to the promises and blessings of God? It speaks of the authority of the author of the words to make happen what was said to happen. It is essentially a command word, and here the command is to “live.”
Wherever “these waters” flow, life flows with it. Whatever the river touches, it will be penetrated by the power of God. Wherever the currents move – life, restoration, and healing will be stirred in the ripples of it.
Why? “For they shall be healed.” Since we’ve already discussed the healing of the waters in the previous section, let’s focus on what occurred after the waters moved through these rivers.
One thing we noticed is that now, as opposed to its previous condition, “there shall be a very great multitude of fish.”
A significant note indeed, considering the body of waters being referenced is none other than the Dead Sea, whose extremely high salt content makes it impossible for life to exist there.
But when the waters that flow from the sanctuary touch that which was dead, life springs forth anew. Fish are not only able to inhabit that which was considered uninhabitable, but they thrive “because these waters shall come thither.”
“Fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim” and cast out their nets with guaranteed results of a good catch.
Today, there are myriad ways for people to catch fish. Some launch out in boats. Some have waterproof bibbed overalls that equip them to walk deeper in the water where the fish are. Visiting beach areas you may find some positioning themselves on a pier or a bridge to let down their lines into the waters.
Depending on the type of fishing and fish one is looking for, methods such as airboats, sonar, different baits and bobbers are used to guarantee a good catch. But none of those tricks and tactics would be needed in this river. Put away your new-fangled gadgets and gizmos, because all they had to do was stand on the side, and fish.
A fisherman’s paradise, if you will, because of the abundance.
So. Many. Fish. This wasn’t a man-made, pre-stocked pond that made catching easy. Nor was it a catch-and-release program. The abundance experienced here was because of the miracle flowing from the sanctuary.
Not only was there abundance in numbers, but there was abundance in “kinds,” or species of fish: “Their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many.”
Science has tried to put a number on the many species of fish that may swim in this planet’s waters. But they are only what is known to us. It seems the more we explore, the more we find out. I don’t know how many different species of fish swimming in these waters in this lesson are, but it was so much that it was noted here: “exceeding many.”
Ezekiel 47:11 “But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt.”
God, on purpose, let an area remain unaffected by the flow of healing waters. There are many speculations about why it goes untouched, but none substantiated by the Word. For His reasons, God commanded it to remain as is. This really exemplifies the sovereignty of God at work in all areas of life. If He commands healing, then it shall be healed. If He commands a condition to stay in the state that it is, then we can rest knowing that it is still a part of His perfect plan and that there must be a divine purpose at work even if we don’t know why. Romans reminds us, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (8:28).
Ezekiel 47:12 “And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.”
We see nearly the exact thing written by John in Revelation 22:2 where it says, “In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”
In both instances, there are the trees with fruit every month, and leaves adorned for healing or “medicine.” All because of those life-giving waters that support them.
The culmination of all that God is doing and touching is with the end result of healing and restoration; to bring new life.
Is this not what Jesus promised the woman at the well? “The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14).
Everlasting life. Does that not speak of being wholly restored and healed for all eternity? Does that not reverse the curse of sin and bring life to the place that was dead?
Let us take heed to the call of Isaiah: “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters,” (55:1). There is life, the power of His Spirit, waiting to touch and heal all that come. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord,” (Romans 6:23).
PDF Full Printable Sunday School Lesson Pack (With easy to read instructions following the P.E.A.R.L. format on how to conduct each lesson with areas for adding personal notes): Sunday School Lesson – Ezekiel Sees a Life-Giving River
Water Bottle Verse:
Water is life-sustaining. There is no hiding the value it has for our physical health. But what about our spiritual health?
Jesus told the woman of Samaria, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:10, 14).
Copy, cut out, and attach/tape these verses to your water bottles (disposable or other) throughout this week. These verses will not only serve as a reminder of what Christ offers us, but they can also be used as a witnessing tool to others. Click here for a free water bottle verse printable ► Water Bottle Verse
“Ankles, knees, hips, and shoulders,
Hips and shoulders.
Ankles, knees, hips, and shoulders,
Hips and shoulders.
Healing the trees,
And fish,
And waters.
Ankles, knees, hips, and shoulders,
Hips and shoulders.” © Word for Life Says
Adult Journal Page: Adult Journal Page – Ezekiel Sees a Life-Giving River
Kid’s Journal Page: Kid’s Journal Page – Ezekiel Sees a Life-Giving River
Blank Journal Page: These pages, one designed for adults and one for children, can be used to bring out, remember, or write a particular part of the lesson you wish for you and/or your class to focus on. Click>>Blank Adult and Kid’s Journal Pages to access the journal pages.
Draw the Scene: Ezekiel Sees a Life-Giving River Draw the Scene
Simple Coloring Sheet: Ezekiel Sees a Life-Giving River Simple Coloring Sheet
Leaf Lace-Up Craft: This simple craft connects the children with the effects this life-giving river has on the fruit and the leaves of the trees. Use PDF: Ezekiel 47 12 Lace Up Leaf to put together this simple, yet fun activity. Print out on cardstock and use a hole punch to put holes around the leaf. Use any materials you have lying around for lacing: yarn, string, pipe cleaners, etc. I used crumbled party streamers. Go figure! Enjoy!
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Crossword: Ezekiel Sees a Life-Giving River Crossword Crossword Answers: Ezekiel Sees a Life-Giving River Crossword Answers
Word Scramble: Ezekiel Sees a Life-Giving River Word Scramble Word Scramble Answers: Ezekiel Sees a Life-Giving River Word Scramble Answers
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“To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” Ephesians 1:6, 7
Sin is ugly and has been a battle mankind has fought since the Fall. Sin is an intrusion into this world and our lives. It was never supposed to be a part of the program nor was it supposed to act like it has dominion, because it doesn’t.
God has the final answer for sin. The psalmist declared, “Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away,” (Psalm 65:3). The word “purge” means to clean out, to get rid of, and eradicate it from the vessel that was holding it.
Although there is no possible way for a man, woman, or child to get right before God on their own, when that person brings themselves before the only true God who can do the holy restorative work needed in that life – they can become clean. He will purge it from that trusting life. There is forgiveness and redemption found in God.
In Isaiah, He says, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool,” (Isaiah 1:18). God has the means to do away with all iniquities and transgressions, and His name is Jesus: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” Ephesians 1:7
David, the author of Psalm 65, quoted above and below, knew personally what it was like to be on the receiving end of God’s forgiveness. He knows what it’s like to be taken in a fault and feel overwhelmed in this battle against sin. He knows that God is to be praised because He is the one who has made atonement for the sins of mankind (read entire Psalm 65).
Recognizing the wonder and beauty of it all, he writes: “Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple,” (Psalm 65:4).
“Blessed;” happy and full of joy is the one who is allowed “to approach unto thee.” This individual has received God’s answer to the sin problem of this life. The barrier that those iniquities and transgressions caused between man and God has been pulled down, and now, that one has open access to the Almighty. Therefore, they are “blessed.”
“That he may dwell in thy courts” gives the impression of permanence. The bond between the redeemed and the Redeemer has been sealed and solidified with everlasting love through the ever-saving blood of Jesus Christ. The usage of the word “courts” brings the repentant heart to where He is. Those blessed individuals are so because they have been welcomed to enter into the realm of His holy Majesty. The “blessed” have become holy courtiers in His kingdom. With the lifting of the plague of sin that blocks the unbelieving from entering, this one who has received forgiveness can enter those holy grounds on the premise of His grace: “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14; see also Ephesians 2:8).
David continues to write, “We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.” God satisfies with “goodness” those who come to Him (see also Psalm 36:8). With the inclusion of the word “we,” King David also applies this to himself as being on the receiving end of the blessings that flow from God. With the dissatisfaction of dealing with everything wrong in this life, he looked forward to a day when he would know the sweet, uninterrupted joy of His “goodness” continually and freely flowing upon him.
This goodness is found where He is; in His “house, even of thy holy temple.” As much as sin and iniquities have tried to prevail or overwhelm – more so will His goodness overshadow and satisfy us when we repent. Corrie Ten Boom reminds us, “There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is not deeper still.”
To the soul that turns to Christ, the ugliness of sin is done away with and He will satisfy with the beauty of redemption.
“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:12-14
Isn’t this beautiful!
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Lord, I thank You for the day You shined Your light into my life. Perfection is far from where I was. I, too, was in a fit of rebellion, intent on getting to my Damascus to do what I was pleased to do. But one day, You interrupted all of that in a good way. You introduced me to Your Son, Jesus. Humbly, I had no choice but to hear that voice that called out to me and fall to the earth in worship and gratefulness that You took the time to step in the pathway progressing to more sin and spoke in me a life brand new.
Friends, if you are a Christian, then you have been in Saul’s position. While we may not stand guilty of persecuting the Church, we all once stood guilty before grace. We were all miscreants without the benefit of mercy. Transgressors while ignoring the truth. On our way to being up to no good, we were hell-bound until Jesus stepped in and saved us.
Romans 5:8 reminds us, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Who we were, does not compare with what He did for us. But isn’t that the point? Never would we have been able to pay the debt we owed. Never could we earn our way to heaven. Only by “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24) are we able to say today that we are saved, born-again believers, washed in the blood of the Lamb, welcomed as a member of His holy family, and given a new life with a new purpose.
Sometimes, we absolutely need to remember where we came from and how we got here. It is nothing we can take credit for. But thank God for the day a light from heaven shone in my heart, and He saved me.
“And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” Acts 9:3,4
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“Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord: This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter.” (Psalm 118:19-20)
Gates give entrance. Gates keep out intruders and ne’er do wells. Gates offer protection and security for all who dwell within her walls.
Gates ask if you belong here. They want to see if you are identified as someone worthy of trust to be in her enclosure. They make sure you have permission to be here to enjoy the treasure within.
Many fancy themselves going through those pearly gates one day (Revelation 21:21). Many claim they will have immediate entrance to the eternity within.
Friend, if you want to enter, make sure you have the right key – make sure you have aligned your life, your heart, and your soul with the right point of access. And that right point of access is through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Once, Jesus taught, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture” (John 10:9). If our deep desire is to walk through those future gates, please know, dear soul, that none can enter without Jesus.
As the shepherds of old would lay their bodies across the entrance of the sheepfold (compare John 10:7), Jesus Christ has laid His body on Calvary’s cross that one day we might enter the fold of the righteous. That one day, we might be where He is.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Jesus is, and I cannot express this enough, dear heart, the only way in. He is the only way you will ever experience that spiritual freedom you are looking for. He is the only way to be truly delivered. Through Him, is the only way to salvation: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). And He is the only way to gain that holy admission to heaven.
When He becomes your Lord, you have access to the treasure within, and those gates will be opened for you, and you can say with holy confidence the words of the psalmist: “Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord: This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter” (Psalm 118:19-20).
Access the right key, Jesus Christ, and the doors will be opened for you.
“Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.” (Psalm 24:7-10)
Receive Him for yourself today.
Copyright © Word For Life Says.com (Sharing any posts or lessons can only be done through the share buttons provided on this site from the original posts, lessons, and articles only. You can reblog from the original posts only using the reblog button provided, or share using the share buttons provided from these social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest, etc., and they must be shared from the original posts only. All other repostings are prohibited. Posts and other items of interest found on this site MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASTED, downloaded, uploaded, etc to another website or entity not listed (physical or electronic). See COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.
The world is waiting for the opening. Or, at least, this is what I feel.
Driving, I noticed the greenery now visible at the bottoms of the trees. Moss and ivy have begun to cover and climb the trunks. Vibrant colors tell of the season’s awakening and coming back to life.
Yet, the tops of the trees remain for the most part bare, only adorned with the sprinkling of buds throughout. And I think to myself, the world is waiting for the opening. The anticipation of full growth. The looking forward of life to take over every seemingly dead branch we see.
And, aren’t we waiting for the opening? The opening of a greater day when all will be made new.
Life has been our blessing to experience, and yet, how oft has humanity and evil abused this precious gift? How oft have we taken this grace for granted?
So, we wait for the opening. The grand event when all this will be done away with. The dreary, dead, and wrong will all be as vapor, here today, gone tomorrow, and Victory rides in on the scene of clouds in the person of our Savior.
“Behold,” the book of Revelation tells us, “He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him . . .” (1:7).
At the ascension of Christ, the gazing disciples were told, “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).
And again we read, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
And so, the world is waiting for the opening of those skies. It groans with longing for that day (Romans 8:22). The view of heaven and her King is so much greater than the view of confusion, hurt, and chaos that covers the land we currently see.
Continue to wait, my friend. What we see today won’t always be like this.
Continue forward in hope, knowing that one day this will all get better. One day, every tear and hurt will pass away (Revelation 21:4) and our glorious King shall take us home forever to be where He is: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3).
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Open your heart, dear Friend, open your heart. There is a God in heaven and He is waiting for the doors to swing wide open that He may gain access. “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).
He is a gentleman. He will not force Himself upon you. But with love, He beckons you to let Him in. “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3).
Draw near, dear Friend, draw near. Do not let this moment pass you by. He’s waiting on you, but as with any opportunity, the days are fleeting and time continues to move ahead. “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).
Will you welcome Him, dear Friend, will you welcome Him. “Behold, I stand at the door,” He says, “and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).
The Bible says that restoration is waiting for those who are truly repentant. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18). “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19).
Open your heart to God and let Him rain on you. He will cause you to grow with new life. “I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon” (Hosea 14:5). “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).
The precious gift awaits. Open your heart, and receive Him for yourself. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
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“And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.” Luke 7:16
“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matthew 1:23
The day was not one she expected. Her only son was dead, and now it is time to lay his body to rest. What would happen now? Her life was left with many unanswered questions. Being a widow, and now with the loss of her only son, she doesn’t know about her tomorrow. As if dealing with sorrow wasn’t enough, her heart can’t process what might be up ahead.
A lot of us wonder about what’s up ahead for us. Many question their days with hard-to-find answers. What will life look like for me from here on out?
We can only imagine the swirl of emotions afflicting this poor mother as she followed the coffin of her son.
As the crowd moved forward, a commotion came from the front. With compassion written all over His face, a man stepped close to the coffin where her son lay.
Touching it, He peered inside and saw what no one else could.
He saw the brokenness the mother now carried. He saw the worries for the future. He saw the life that wasn’t but could be. He saw a better ending for this family than what they are experiencing now.
He speaks, “Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.” (Luke 7:14). And life returned. Wholeness and healing had come for this family. Their hope for tomorrow was restored.
Seeing the miracle, the people rejoiced, “A great prophet has risen among us!” (vs.16). “God hath visited his people!”
The revelation of their praise was true, more than they could have imagined. The realness of Who was in their midst probably could not really have been fathomed.
Over thirty years prior, an angel encouraged Joseph about the babe Mary carried in her womb:
“But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” (Matthew 1:20-23)
“Emmanuel … God with us”
“God hath visited his people” were on the lips of those who witnessed the widow of Nain’s son raised from the dead.
Friend, God is with us. He has visited His people. He is still speaking life to those who are dead. And He is setting people up for a better future than what they see now.
When Jesus spoke, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10), His focus was not only on the circumstances of the day but on all our eternal futures for tomorrow that’s coming.
When we recognize who it is with us now and offers us new life, we can find joy and peace for this abundant living like we never could before.
When we recognize the magnitude of “God with us” and align our lives and hope, in faith accordingly, we will not only find joy and peace now but also for all eternity.
Jesus spoke to the widow, saying, “Weep not” (vs. 13). If you have accepted Christ as your Savior; if you have welcomed into your life, “Emmanuel … God with us” – there will come a day when the Bible declares: “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
That glorious future for tomorrow starts by recognizing and accepting who Jesus Christ is in your life today.
More than a prophet has come. God incarnate has taken the stage in history. Let Him take the stage in your life today. Because when God visits, things will change for the better, forever.
Father God, help many souls and hearts to see the true reason for the season: “God with us.” Our Lord came to be born, and to die, and to raise us to a new life in Him. The widow of Nain joyfully received her son back to life and we know that heaven rejoices over one sinner that repents (Luke 15:7) and starts life anew in You. Help many to hear, see, know, love, and accept Jesus Christ for themselves that they might have life, and have it more abundantly for all eternity. In the name of Jesus Christ, AMEN!
Copyright © Word For Life Says.com (Sharing any posts or lessons can only be done through the share buttons provided on this site from the original posts, lessons, and articles only. You can reblog from the original posts only using the reblog button provided, or share using the share buttons provided from these social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest, etc., and they must be shared from the original posts only. All other repostings are prohibited. Posts and other items of interest found on this site MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASTED, downloaded, uploaded, etc to another website or entity not listed (physical or electronic). See COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.
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