Given To Life Or Given To Salt

Sunday, March 8

Ezekiel 47:9-12 (NKJV)

“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. 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. But its swamps and marshes will not be healed; they will be given over to salt. 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.”

Devotion

In Ezekiel 47:9–12, the prophet sees a river flowing from the temple—bringing life everywhere it goes. What begins as a trickle becomes a stream no one can cross; they are increasing waters. His Spirit is shown to be in abundance, overflowing and bringing restoration, alignment, healing, and lasting provision. Even when the water flows into the Dead Sea, it turns fresh; the fish abound, the trees on the riverbanks bear ongoing fruit, and the leaves are for healing.

God’s presence is never stagnant. When we allow His Spirit to flow into the barren places of our lives, there is renewal. There is hope where there was once doubt or fear. The transformation is beyond human effort; it is of God Himself.

The exception to this flow is the swamps or marshes, for they “will not become fresh; they will be left for salt.” These are soaked with unhealthy waters, neither fit for fish nor able to bear fruit. These represent those who either reject the gospel or those who do not obey and walk according to it.

The Hebrew language often expresses barrenness as being given up to salt. In Judges 9:4, when Abimelech destroyed Sichem, he scattered salt over the ground to denote that it should never be cultivated or inhabited again. Likewise, those who abandon themselves to the world and refuse to yield to the Lord may be made an example—like Lot’s wife—who was “left for salt.”

Consider where there are dry or lifeless areas in your life and invite God’s Presence to flow there. Don’t settle for a sprinkle, ankle-, knee-, or even waist-deep water—saturate yourself in His Spirit. Dive deep and surrender your all.

Today's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

I choose life. I recognize that it is only through Your life flowing through me that I can bear fruit. Glorify Your name through every gift, talent, and opportunity You have given me. Flow through me like a river, and make every moment count for Your glory. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Apply It Today

In gratitude, recognize the areas in your life that God has blessed. These are the ones you have surrendered to Him. For the other areas that still need His touch, pray over them, surrendering them into His care. He, too, wants to see you bring a full harvest to fruition, bringing glory unto His name.

Resources

• Join us for worship this morning! Whether you're near or far, we’d love for you to be part of the service. You can join us in person at a location near you or right here online on the app, YouTube, Facebook, or at live.freechapel.org. Come expectant!
• River vs. Marsh: A river flows and remains fresh, but a marsh stagnates and becomes salty. When the Spirit flows through us, there is life; when we resist His flow, stagnation follows.