Swimming in the Word

Scripture: He said to me, "This water flows out to the eastern region and goes down to the Arabah. When it enters the sea, the sea of foul water, the water of the sea becomes fresh. Every kind of living creature that swarms will live wherever the river flows, and there will be a huge number of fish because this water goes there. Since the water will become fresh, there will be life everywhere the river goes. Fishermen will stand beside it from En-gedi to En-eglaim. These will become places where nets are spread out to dry. Their fish will consist of many different kinds, like the fish of the Mediterranean Sea. Yet its swamps and marshes will not be healed; they will be left for salt. All kinds of trees providing food will grow along both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. Each month they will bear fresh fruit because the water comes from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be used for food and their leaves for medicine." Ezekiel 47:8-12

Observation: The river flowing from the temple is the word of God - the trees along its shore are described using the same language as Jeremiah and Psalm 1 (their leaves do not wither and they bear fruit without fail). This word of God goes to the dry, arid places. It goes to the dead and spoiled water. And it brings perfect life. Everything it touches is restored, and it teems with new and plentiful life where none existed before. That life in turn nourishes others, providing for sustenance, livelihood, and even healing.

Application: If I fully embraced this metaphor for the word of God, how would that change my daily interactions? I should seek to spread that word to others. At the very least, I should have that word inside me at all times so that I may thrive and be filled.

This is why I seek daily devotions. It is to meditate on God's word. It must never be a ritual or chore - it must always be the re-introduction of God's great river of life into my heart and soul every day. It must be something I think upon every day, bring to mind during hardships, rely upon during trials, and depend upon for strength. It is too deep to cross - too much to ever fully know and understand - full of every wisdom and good thought.

Prayer: Lord, may I swim in your word today, and every day. Keep my heart soft toward others, as a sponge soaked in your water and not dried out, so I can absorb and consider every issue, challenge, concern, and worry, and then squeeze it back out into you for full relief. When I am troubled, may I rely upon your promises, your love, your guidance, and your care. I wish to not fall into my own self-sufficiency, for my abilities, thoughts, and plans will never be enough. Instead, may I swim in your word every day, and allow you alone to keep me awash in your wisdom and guidance. Amen.