Ankle Deep, Knee Deep, Waist Deep, Waters to Swim in

The last couple of days I’ve been discussing the river that flows from the Millennial Temple and how it speaks so strongly in our day of the moving of the Holy Spirit among us. Today I want to look more closely at Ezekiel 47 and the different levels of water that may give insight into what it takes to allow the Holy Spirit to use you in this hour.

And when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist. Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed (Ezekiel 47:3-5).

Water up to my ankles is literally water to the soles of the feet. This speaks of our walk of obedience to the Father. The Father tells us in Isaiah 1:19 that if we are willing and obedient we will eat the good of the land, but that we will be consumed by the enemy if we walk disobediently! God told Israel that they could have the land that their feet treat on: Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours… (Deuteronomy 11:24). A life of blessing is not automatic. We must purposely pursue God’s best for our lives. We must pursue the will of God!

Water up to the knees speaks of the power of a consecrated prayer life. Jesus tells us that if we will meet Him in the secret place, He will reward us openly with His Spirit and power (Matthew 6:6). We are as powerful as we are prayerful! Only as we pray with fervency can we see the full purpose that God has for us individual and corporately fulfilled!

Water up to the waist speaks of spiritual strength. Paul encourages us to gird our waist with truth (Ephesians 6:14). It’s the Word of God that provides spiritual strength! …I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one (1 John 2:14). Isaiah 33:6 reveals: Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, and the strength of salvation... Wisdom and Knowledge is the Word of God! We can only be strong in the Lord as we are strong in the Word! This provides a foundation for the Holy Spirit to be able to use you!

Finally, Ezekiel mentions water in which one must swim. This speaks of the end of self-effort in the life of a Christian. The Lord wants each one of us to come to place that we turn over to Him the reigns, the control of our lives! Smith Wigglesworth perhaps summed it up well when he said: All of me-none of God; less of me-more of God; none of me-all of God!

Lord, help us all to relinquish control of our being through obedience and prayer. May we step out into the deeper water of Your Presence, Your Word, and Your Spirit where You carry us where You will!