I am learning that we should never underestimate the power of the trickle to erode strongholds in our lives and to flood us with God’s goodness. Most things begin with small cracks in the fabric of our everyday routines. Typically, nothing changes dramatically overnight, and even the apparent dramatic changes are, in fact, the fruit of a protracted period of systematic beating against walls of resistance to what God desires to establish in our lives.
We read in Ezekiel 47: 1-12:
Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar. 2 He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side. 3 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. 4 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. 5 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. 6 He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he brought me and returned me to the bank of the river. 7 When I returned, there, along the bank of the river, were very many trees on one side and the other. 8 Then he said to me: “This water flows toward the eastern region, goes down into the valley, and enters the sea. When it reaches the sea, its waters are healed. 9 And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes. 10 It shall be that fishermen will stand by it from En Gedi to En Eglaim; they will be places for spreading their nets. Their fish will be of the same kinds as the fish of the Great Sea, exceedingly many. 11 But its swamps and marshes will not be healed; they will be given over to salt. 12 Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine.” |
When the prophet saw the water flowing from under the right side of the temple, he followed its path. The volume of water increased as it flowed, to the point that the trickle from under the foundation of the temple became a river so broad that it could not be crossed on foot. Trees grew along the bank of the river, trees whose fruit was for food and whose leaves were for healing. Everything that lives was healed wherever this river flowed. The waters were healing waters.
So it is with God’s Presence in our lives. His living water may begin with a trickle in our hearts, but we cannot measure the impact of that trickle as it increases to a river of living water in our own life and in the lives of others around us. Jesus’s healing and refreshing Presence in and on us will impact everyone who comes in contact with Him. His abundance is promised and sure, and He is able to touch and heal, not only us, but all those around us who encounter Him through us. NEVER underestimate the power of His Presence in you!
Father, increase in me a confidence in Your power to touch the lives of people around me and to reveal Your goodness to each person I encounter! May Jesus multiple His DNA in me and use me to draw many into Your Kingdom! Most great things begin small. The most powerful men on earth entered life as babies — even Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords! Don’t despise the day of small beginnings . “For who dares make light of small beginnings? These seven eyes will joyfully look on the tin tablet in Zerubbabel’s hand. (These are the eyes of the Lord, which constantly range across the whole earth.)” Zechariah 4:10 (NET)
Do not underestimate the power of the trickle!