Gems of Knowledge

Today’s One Year Bible Verses: Ezekiel47:1-48:35, 1 Peter 2:11-3:7, Psalm119:49-64, Proverbs 28:12-13

---

The River of Life

“Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.” -1 Peter 2:25 (NLT)

I awoke to a text message this morning saying my cousin died. I was filled with emotion and sorrow as I looked back on his life, his great struggles and hardships, and wondered if the spirit of suicide had finally taken him over and won. I cried as I thought about it, and found great comfort in knowing that God always makes things right—even the things we can’t understand.

When I opened my One Year Bible it started in Ezekiel 47—the prophet’s vision of the river flowing out from the temple. “There I saw a stream flowing east from beneath the door of the Temple and passing to the right of the altar on its south side” (Ezekiel 47:1). Jesus is that Living Water—the stream of God’s goodness that brings life and healing. This stream flowed eastward, through the East Gate—the Lord’s gate. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life,” and no one comes to the Father except through Him. He is the stream that flows from Heaven, the gateway to God, and the river of life that runs freely to all who would receive.

In verse 6, Ezekiel’s heavenly escort asks, “Have you been watching, son of man?” As Ezekiel followed the river, he noticed something beautiful: the further he walked, the deeper the waters became. He began ankle-deep, then knee-deep, then waist-deep—until it became a river too deep to cross, one that could only be swum. The message is clear: the more we follow Jesus, the deeper He takes us into His goodness. We start out just wading—curious, tentative, new. But if we continue, we are immersed, consumed, and surrounded by the life-giving waters of Christ.

Then the angel led him back along the riverbank. Ezekiel was surprised—now there were many trees growing along the edge of the river. These weren’t here before. God had planted them while he was walking forward. It’s the same with us. When we go deep with Him, God causes life to grow and flourish around us—roots planted, fruit nourished, and leaves that do not wither. “Their leaves will never turn brown and fall… There will be a new crop every month, for they are watered by the river flowing from the Temple” (Ezekiel 47:12).

Even in the desert, even near the Dead Sea, this river brings life. “Life will flourish wherever this water flows” (v. 9). Jesus can reach the dry, barren places in your life. He can rescue us from the Dead Sea ahead—spiritually, emotionally, and even physically. But we must turn to Him. Step into the river. Let Him wash over you.

No matter what happens in this life, we can be confident that our Shepherd will guard our souls. Our case is in His hands. He alone judges righteously. “He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By His wounds we are healed” (1 Peter 2:24). Once we were wandering sheep—but now we have returned to our Shepherd, the Guardian of our souls. 💎

---

Action (5 Minutes with God)

Take 5 minutes to step into the Living Waters of Christ today. Ask Him:

• “Lord, what do You want me to know about this today?”
  • Journal what He whispers through the Holy Spirit
• Then ask, “What do You want me to do?”
  • Journal what He whispers – then do it!

Let today be a day He takes you deeper into His living waters of truth, understanding and peace.

---

Prayer

Jesus, take me deeper. I don’t want to just wade in Your goodness—I want to be immersed in it. Wash over my sorrow, my doubt, my wandering, and bring new life wherever Your river flows in me. Be my Shepherd. I return to You today. Amen.

To read more 5 Minutes with God devotionals click here.