Then he brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around on the outside to the outer gate that faces toward the east; and behold, the water was trickling out on the south side… As I went back, I saw on the bank of the river very many trees on the one side and on the other.
Ezekiel 47:2,7
For the month of July, this devotional will shift from a daily devotional to a weekly devotional. Each week will take a moment to share what we believe God wants to see in North Gate Church. The hope is that you and I might catch the vision, as it’s a vision that God has for His people, regardless of where they live or what community of Christ they engage in. I pray that it’s a blessing to you and draws you closer to God and to His depths. I encourage you to take a moment today to read Ezekiel 47:1-12 to provide some context for this conversation.
The vision for North Gate Church is based upon portions of Ezekiel 47: to see people sourced rightly, healed completely, discipled deeply, and giving generously. This week focuses on “sourced rightly.”
Throughout Scripture, trees symbolize people (see e.g., Psalm 1:3, Isaiah 55:12, Jeremiah 17:8, Mark 8:24). In Ezekiel 47, Ezekiel sees trees planted beside the waters that flow out of the eastern gate of the temple. Of these trees, God says in Ezekiel 47:12,
And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.
What makes these trees so fruitful? What makes these trees so beneficial? How is it that these trees can share healing and provide life and nourishment to others? How is it that they are sustained through every season, no matter the season when other trees are wilting or fading with the elements?
It’s because they are sourced rightly.
As humans, we naturally wander the roads of this life looking for a source. The way God designed humanity, we cannot source from ourselves. Meaning, when we need something, we have to go outside of ourselves for it. When we need comfort, we draw from something for comfort. When we need peace, we look for that in other things. Even when we need energy, we must go to food to provide it for us.
In the Garden of Eden, God created a space that made sourcing from the right places easy. Namely, sourcing from God for all of our needs was constantly within reach. When Adam and Eve sinned, they found their source of truth somewhere other than God (see e.g., Genesis 3:6). Since that time, humanity has attempted to meet its needs in all sorts of sources.
The trees in Ezekiel 47 were sources rightly. They were rooted in the waters of God’s Word.
Psalm 1:1-3 tells us,
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
When we are sourced rightly, it changes everything. When we source all that we need from God, we have all that we need.
This world promises to meet our needs, but it cannot provide the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, hope, faith, salvation, or life that we so desperately need.
I believe that God wants to see you sourced rightly.
The last time you needed comfort, what did you attempt to find comfort in? The last time you needed peace, what did you take inside of you for peace? When you last needed healing to the pain in your soul, where did you turn to?
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to consider where you attempt to find what you need. Perhaps God has been speaking to you about reestablishing Him as your source in an area. Maybe God wants you to renounce the lie that in any given situation, He isn’t enough.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus. Take a step today… just one is fine.
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