Living water

Above, you can see a body of water called the Dead Sea.

It is so called because the water is so salty that no animals can survive there. The only signs of life are tiny quantities of bacteria and fungi.

But in this passage, God tells us that something wondrous will happen to that which everyone calls dead.

From under the threshold of the temple that Ezekiel describes in these chapters will flow water which starts as a small stream but gradually grows into a roaring river that flows out into the Dead Sea.

The result?

When it empties into the [Dead] Sea, the water there becomes fresh.

Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows.

There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. (Ezekiel 47:8–9)

Not only that,

Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail.

Every month they will bear, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them.

Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing. (Ezekiel 47:12)

While I believe there will be a literal fulfillment of this, I also think this is a beautiful picture of our lives.

From God himself flows rivers of living water which flow out from heaven’s throne into our lives.

And we who were dead in our sins will overflow with the life of God.

We will start to bear fruit in our lives that not only brings nourishment and healing to our own souls but also helps nourish and bring healing to the people around us.

As Jesus said,

If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.

Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. (John 7:37–38)

Lord, fill me up with your Spirit.

Pour down your Living Water into my soul and heal my wounds and my hurts. And let me be fruitful for you.

As I come into contact with the people around me, let your Living Water pour through me to touch their lives that they may be nourished and healed in their souls too. In Jesus’ name, amen.