Mon.’s Devo - The River of God

Read: Ezekiel 47:1-48:35; 1 Peter 2:11-37; Psalm 119:49-64; Proverbs 28:12-13 Ezekiel was brought to the entrance of the Temple and was shown a stream flowing from under the door of the Temple. It passed on the right side of the altar through the eastern gateway. Ezekiel was taken out the northern gateway to the entrance of the eastern gate. *** The guide took Ezekiel across the stream and the water was up to his ankles. They walked 1,750 feet down the stream and he was taken across it again and this time it was up to his knees. He was taken another 1,750 feet and across the water again. This time the water was too deep to walk across and he would have to swim. The man asked Ezekiel if he had been paying attention. As Ezekiel looked he saw that trees were growing on both sides of the water. The man told him that this river flowed down to the Dead Sea and it would bring life to the Dead Sea. Fish would abound in the waters and many fishermen would fish in the Dead Sea. Various fruit trees would grow on both sides of the river and their leaves would never die but bring healing. Their fruit would be for food. This is what revival looks like. *** God said to divide the land for the tribes of Israel. They would each get a strip of land 3.33 miles wide and 8.33 miles long. The Temple would be in the middle of the city with the priests and Levite’s land to the north. Area around the Temple area would be for public use to grow food and plant gardens. The prince would own land on either side of the public land. To the south would be the strips of the land for Benjamin, Simeon, Issachar, Zebulun, and Gad. To the north would be the strips of land for Judah, Ephraim, Manasseh, Naphtali, Asher, and Dan. *** Each tribe would have its own gate named after it to exit the city. Reuben, Judah, and Levi would have gates on the north. On the east wall gates would be named for Joseph, Benjamin and Dan. To the south, the gates would be named for Simeon, Issachar and Zebulun and on the west the gates were named for Gad, Asher, and Naphtali. The name of the city would be “The Lord is There.” *** Peter warns us of worldly desires that wage a war against our souls. If we live honorably and according to God’s laws, our lives will be a witness for God when he judges the world. Our lives should cause the scoffers to stop calling Christians hypocrites. We should never use our freedom in Christ as an excuse to do evil. We should respect all people as God’s creation and have love for our brothers and sisters in the Lord. *** Believers should be the best employees, best bosses, best wives and best husbands. Our lives should model God’s kingdom. Our focus should first be to beautify our hearts and live submissive humble lives. Our homes should model the family of God and his authority. *** Lord, help us to live motivated by our renewed hearts and minds and not our worldly desires. May our lives make you proud that we are your children and may we model your kingdom.