Waters To Swim In

by G. Jarvie | Category: General | Feb 1962

In Ezekiel 47 we read that the prophet saw in a vision waters issuing out from under the threshold of the house of God. Wonderful waters they were, for, wherever they flowed they brought life (verse 9). On each side of the river grew every kind of fruit tree, bearing fruit each month, and the leaves of the trees never withered. Fish lived abundantly wherever the waters flowed, and the fruit trees bore abundant fruit to eat, and the leaves for healing. Wonderful waters indeed! (verse 12).

Another remarkable thing about this stream was its increasing volume and depth. At a thousand cubits it was ankle deep, and a thousand cubits further on, it had risen to the knees. A thousand cubits further, and it had risen to the waist. A thousand cubits more, and it was a river beyond a man's depth, waters to swim in. Today the river is of another kind, but its effect is similar, after a spiritual sort. The Lord Jesus spoke thus "He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake He of the Spirit" (John 7.88, 89).

It is the word of God flowing out from us in the power of the Spirit of God, from you, and from me. In Ezekiel we read that the waters came out from under the threshold of the house of God. God intends that out from His people His word should flow in the power of the Spirit. Much has been committed to us, and much is expected from us.

The amazing thing about the waters that Ezekiel saw was their life-sustaining qualities. There was life wherever they flowed. That is the amazing thing too about the word of God in the power of the Spirit of God. Men live when they hear it. Saints are refreshed when they hear it. Lives are changed when the word of God is spoken in the power of the Spirit of God. Spiritual sicknesses are healed, and the saints dwell joyfully together in unity. There is food and healing in such words.

What brings this life-giving power to our words? How can we know the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives and witness? It is close contact with Christ that brings it. In Ezekiel, the waters flowed along the south of the altar (verse 1). The Lord Jesus said, "He that believeth on Me... out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." Christ-centred ministry is always powerful. Ministry may be scriptural, and well thought out, and yet powerless, lacking in the life-sustaining quality. No healing in its "leaves," and no food in its

fruit." It will be so, if in some respect it lacks relation to Christ.

Another notable thing about the river that Ezekiel saw was its depth: it had waters to swim in. True, there was the shallow part, but this led on to the depths. We too must have the "shallows," for there are young ones among us who need the first principles of the oracles of Christ. God has provided the shallows for the young and immature. They are right in their time and place, but the depths are for the perfect, for the full-grown. Then also the waters in the

shallows had the same life-sustaining qualities as those in the depths. The refreshing words from young men who are in touch with Christ are life-giving. How delightful it is to hear a young and immature brother telling what he knows of Christ! It is all so fresh, and life-sustaining too, and we all enjoy such words.

"'Tis oft the very simplest word

That leads a sinner to the Lord.

God makes simplicity prevail

When arguments most powerful fail."

But we do not want all shallows. We want the river that flows out from us to deepen as we go forward. Young men who walk with God will deepen in their appreciation of Him, and their ministry will become "waters to the knees." As they deepen in faith and prayer, just so much will they deepen in power in their service. We long to hear and read more of the ministry that corresponds to the "waters to swim in," the kind of ministry that awes our spirits, and makes us bow in adoration of God

Whose every act pure blessing is,

His path unsullied light."

Ministry in depth and power causes us to fall in adoration before God, as those heavenly beings do of whom we read in Revelation 4 and 5.

How shall we reach such depths in our lives and ministry? By dwelling deep in prayer and faith, not merely by a mental knowledge of the word! If we are shallow in prayer, then we shall be shallow in our ministry, for the two are linked together. "We will continue stedfastly in prayer, and in the ministry of the word," said the apostles (Acts 6.4). If we are shallow in faith, then we shall lack power. It was through faith, not through knowledge merely, that some subdued kingdoms (Hebrews 11.83).

Let us dwell deep. Let the roots of our spiritual nature go well down through faith and prayer. This present age would leave us little time for prayer; and an all-embracing insurance system would leave us little need for faith. But prayer and faith are the two great essentials for depth in our spiritual beings. Without these we are bound to be shallow and powerless. We need waters to swim in. We need the abundant life of which the Lord has spoken (John 10.10). We need the rivers of living water to flow out through us to others. If we are satisfied with nothing but these, then God will grant them to us.

G. Jarvie | Feb 1962
General