Be Bold In Prayer

3. Go forward in faith – for a deeper relationship with God

The prophet Ezekiel had a vision recorded in Ezekiel Chapter 47 in which water was flowing out from the threshold of the temple. Before Ezekiel had this vision we read that there was sin, wickedness and wrong decisions that the people of Israel were caught in, that made them forfeit their relationship with God. There were so many hardships and barrenness in their lives. God told Ezekiel that He was going to restore the people back to himself, and it was in this context that Ezekiel saw this vision.

As Ezekiel is made to pass the water initially we read in Ezekiel 47:3, “The water came only to my ankles.”(GNB)

Just as the water was ankle-high all of us as children of God have an initial stage where we begin this journey with the Lord, but we are not supposed to stay content in that place.

We further read in Ezekiel 47:4 that “water came up to my knees - the water was up to my waist” (GNB)

As we read further in Ezekiel 47:5,“Again he measured a thousand, and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen. It was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be passed through.” (ESV)

There are many believers who have become content to just stay in this place where there is ankle-deep water, and have not ventured into the deeper experiences that God has in store for them.

Let me conclude with an illustration. When we take a toddler to the sea for the first time, most of them will be fearful to take the first step in the water. Most parents would never give up, but will encourage the child to overcome the fear. Once a little water touches the feet, the child is excited, and wants to go in a little further. What started off at just the ankle will now go up to the knees, and the child begins to enjoy the experience. Many like a fearful child have let fear rule their lives, and have not been willing to go deeper to receive the blessings that God has in store for them.

Acsah received a dry land, but she was not content with it. She boldly approached her father Caleb, and received a double blessing when he gave her the upper and the lower streams. Bartimaeus ran to Jesus, and the Lord restored back his sight to him. The Canaanite woman was a Gentile who was shunned by the Jews, but she approached Jesus, and received deliverance for her daughter.

You may have started off well, but if for some reason you have gone away from God, the Lord is calling you to experience the fullness of His power and blessing, not just ankle high or waist high, but to full and overflowing.

Rev. F. Andrew Dixon

www.goodnewsfriends.net

Transcribed by Sis Esther Collins