Prime the Pump for the New Year by Gerald Van Horn
Text. Ezekiel 47:1-12
It’s not too early to think about the New Year. The word “new” just sticks out as exciting. Time to prime the spiritual pump.
Ill. I was pastor of small country church when I began my ministry. We lived in the parsonage then and there was no city water. The only source of water was a cistern. The water was not fit to drink or cook with so we imported fresh water in by the jug. However, you could use the cistern water to wash clothes and flush the necessary room. There was a electric pump that supplied the water into the house. During winter months the pump needed to be primed. You took a cap off of a cylinder near to top. You would pour some water in that cylinder to prime the pump. I often found that blowing in it also helped. However the steel was cold and often my lips would stick to the medal. It needed to be done if we were to have water.
Such an analogue fits well for what God wants to do in the coming New Year. To prime our spiritual pumps.
However, Solomon gives us a solemn pessimistic statement in Ecclesiastes
1:8-10 about things that are “new’. He states that “new” is just not for a certain date on a calendar. He says every month is new. Every day is new. Every hour is new. Every minute is new.
In Laminentations 3:19-23. It is good for every child of God to look for ward with expectation and hope for the New Year. Philippians 3:13-14. “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended; but this one things I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
We must focus on Ezekiel 43:15-20. There is promise of new fruit. Not materialism, and not pessimism. There is some areas where we must alien ourselves to before there is new fruit.
1. V. 1 A life giving river from the temple. The temple was built on the highest portion of the mountain to make the water flow. Water to use for cleansing. Water for purification. All taking place in the house of the Lord. King Solomon built it that way. The water ran from the mountain and underneath the temple.
Ill. I visited the Home of Sam Walton, owner and founder of Wal-Mart and water ran though his house from a spring. Fresh water was continually running. Only in Arkansas.
The same concept Jesus proclaims in John 7. “In the last day etc.” We cannot live on past blessings. The bread in the wilderness was fresh everyday but not on the Sabbath. Before there is new fruit there must a a flowing river. Most folks have sprinkles and a few drops. Before you can have a river flowing you must be a worshipper. Note: As the river flowed away from the Temple it gets deeper and deeper. The new year is not a time to keep the river to yourself.
2. Get in the river and start with cleansing. There must not be any pollution in the Temple. The symbol of the water is the Holy Spirit. The Spirit must be flowing. Some desire the water from someone else. But the cleaning that is needed to personal. You cannot cleanse some else. The water or Holy Spirit gives life where ever it flows. It also touches the Barron land of a lost soul.
Whenever and wherever it flows it gives life and more abundantly. 2 Corinthians 3:16. “The letter killeth but the Spirit gives life.”
“Herein is the Father glorified that you bear much fruit, for so shall you be my disciples.” John 15:8. Come one and all drink deeply. Be cleansed and refreshed. The water (Holy Spirit) is free to all who call on Him
