Ankle Deep Ain’t Deep Enough

Thursday, March 5

Ezekiel 47:1-3 (NKJV)

“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. 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. 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.”

Devotion

As the body of Christ and consistent church attenders, it is our design to live saturated in God’s presence.

In this vision, the prophet Ezekiel is taken to the temple and sees water flowing out from under the threshold of the temple. The water comes from the very place where God dwells and is meant to represent the presence of God flowing outward, getting deeper and deeper.

On Sunday, we go to church, we get filled to our comfort level, and then leave. Sometimes the spiritual fill we receive is only up to our ankles. Then we are drained during the week and come back the next Sunday, and the cycle repeats. We stay in a comfortable and shallow spiritual place and do not pursue God’s presence more deeply.

According to Ezekiel 47:5, we are to be filled all the way up, not just up to our ankles where it is comfortable. We are to be filled deeper and deeper in His presence, not only on Sunday but every day of the week. God does not intend for us to experience occasional refills, but for His presence to flow through us continually. As Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 3:16, we are God’s temple, and the Spirit of God lives in us, calling us to carry His presence and reflect His life in all we do.

As God’s people, we become more effective when we give God our whole heart and surrender every part of our lives—our intentions, how we use social media, our conversations, our thoughts, our habits, our work, and our relationships. When God’s presence fills every area of our life, His Spirit transforms us and enables us to bear fruit for His kingdom. Jesus taught that as we remain connected to Him and depend on His presence, we will produce lasting fruit, for true fruit does not come from our own effort but from living in God’s presence and allowing His Spirit to work through us (John 15:5).

This journey of deeper devotion begins with each of us right where we are today. When you think you have reached a deeper level, there is always more to discover and experience in God. Do not stop at where you feel comfortable. Go beyond having only a glimpse of His presence and jump fully into the water of God’s holy presence. Just as the river in Ezekiel’s vision grew deeper the farther it flowed from its source, so our walk with God is meant to grow deeper the more we draw near to Him. This is not about reaching a single moment of closeness and stopping there, but about allowing God’s presence to continually draw us in and shape every part of our lives.

It is time to live a life that is clearly marked by God’s presence so that His glory is revealed in us and His greatness will be seen generation after generation.

Today's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

I sense the time of revival is at the door. I can smell the dew of Your rain. I want to be a part of Your work in this earth. So here I am, wading into Your River until I am fully covered and the current sweeps me off my feet. I am Yours. Use me, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen. 

Apply It Today

God is clearly moving. If you hear His voice in this season, it is time to respond to His call. Everyone in the Body of Christ is needed. The move of God in your life begins with an intimate, personal relationship with the One who saved you—Jesus Christ. As your heart begins to kindle, you will set the world around you ablaze by His Spirit!

Resources
  • Serving draws us closer to God and His people. Find your place and sign up to join a Serve Team today!
  • Join us LIVE at 10AM this morning in the Free Chapel Facebook Group for a short devotion and encouragement from God's Word. We'd love for you to be part of it!