Scripture reading: Ezekiel 47:1-5
Shared by: TC Lo
Eze 47:1 The man brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar.
Eze 47:2 He then brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and the water was flowing from the south side.
Eze 47:3 As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and then led me through water that was ankle-deep.
Eze 47:4 He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist.
Eze 47:5 He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in–a river that no one could cross.
Spiritual growth is a steady step-by-step process—starting with ankle-deep, then knee-deep, then body-deep. God said to the Israelites, “Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land. (Exodus 23:30).” God’s process for His people to possess the land was conditioned upon their readiness, and He would not lead them beyond it. Readiness qualifies a person for the task. God had said He would not drive out the inhabitants “in a single year” because this would exceed Israel’s readiness capability. Possessing the land would be a developing process—“little by little”—over time. Seeking quick success and instant benefits (急功近利) simply doesn’t work and lead to failure.
• We want results without effort.
• We want a lifestyle, but we don’t really know what life is about.
• We want success without having to pay the price to get there.
• We want straight A’s (考100分), but we don’t want to study.
• We want blessed marriage, but we don’t want the effort and communication that it takes.
By perseverance, they say, the snail reached the ark. Walt Disney, for example, went bankrupt prior to the success of Disney World and Epcot. Christian business man Jack E. Shaw in his book “Little by Little” gave us the following instructions for spiritual progress:
• Don’t give up.
• Pay attention to details.
• Pay the price.
• Don’t shortcut.
• Don’t circumvent.
• Be thorough.
If you think your church is not growing, it is because she is not ready. If she is ready, she must grow. Let us build us up with a steadfast and sure-footed process and let the Holy Spirit set our pace.
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