Human, Do You See It? The River of Life

Nov 16, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Presence Brings Life Even in the After Times

In seasons of change and uncertainty, it is easy to focus on what has been lost or how things are different from before. Yet, the vision given to Ezekiel reminds us that God’s presence is not confined to a building, a tradition, or a particular era. Even when the temple was destroyed and the people were exiled, God’s life-giving presence flowed out like a river, bringing renewal and hope to barren places. In our own “after times”—after loss, after transition, after upheaval—God’s presence is still with us, offering new life and transformation if we are willing to see it and step in. [26:23]

Ezekiel 47:1-12 (ESV)
Then he brought me back to the door of the temple, and behold, water was issuing from below the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar. 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. Going on eastward with a measuring line in his hand, the man measured a thousand cubits, and then led me through the water, and it was ankle-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was knee-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was waist-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen. It was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be passed through. And he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he led me back to the bank of the river. As I went back, I saw on the bank of the river very many trees on the one side and on the other. And he said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, and enters the sea; when the water flows into the sea, the water will become fresh. And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. Fishermen will stand beside the sea. From Engedi to Eneglaim it will be a place for the spreading of nets. Its fish will be of very many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea. But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they are to be left for salt. 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.”

Reflection: Where in your life do you feel you are living in an “after time,” and how might you open your eyes to see God’s renewing presence flowing there today?

Day 2: Be Still and Know God Is With Us

Amidst the noise of change, loss, and uncertainty, God invites us to pause and recognize His presence. The psalmist’s words, “Be still and know that I am God,” are not just a call to quietness but an invitation to trust that God is our refuge and strength, even when the world feels unstable. In the stillness, we are reminded that God is in the midst of our city, our community, and our lives, and that His presence brings gladness and peace no matter what shakes around us. [25:06]

Psalm 46:1-5, 10-11 (ESV)
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Reflection: When was the last time you intentionally paused to be still before God? What might it look like to carve out a moment of stillness today to recognize His presence with you?

Day 3: Jesus Is the Living Water Who Renews and Satisfies

Just as water cleanses, refreshes, and sustains, Jesus offers Himself as the living water that brings true life. When we seek satisfaction in things that cannot quench our deepest thirst, we are left empty. But when we turn to Christ, He forgives, renews, and nourishes us, inviting us to forsake what leaves us thirsty and to live renewed and holy lives. In Him, we find rest, peace, and joy that the world cannot give. [08:06]

John 7:37-38 (ESV)
On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”

Reflection: What is one thing you have been turning to for satisfaction that leaves you empty, and how can you turn to Jesus, the living water, for renewal today?

Day 4: God’s Presence Transforms and Heals All It Touches

Wherever the river of God’s presence flows, life springs up—even in the most barren or broken places. The vision of trees bearing fruit and leaves for healing, and salty seas becoming fresh, is a promise that God’s presence brings transformation and healing not just to individuals but to communities and the world. When we allow ourselves to be enveloped by God’s presence, we too can experience and become agents of His healing and renewal. [29:32]

Revelation 22:1-2 (ESV)
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Reflection: Where do you long to see God’s healing and transformation—either in your own life or in your community—and how can you invite His presence into that place today?

Day 5: See and Follow Where God Is at Work

The angel’s question to Ezekiel, “Do you see it?” is a challenge to pay attention to where God is moving and to build our lives and community around His presence. Rather than longing for the “before times” or making change for its own sake, we are called to discern and follow God’s activity among us. When we open our eyes to God’s movement, we are invited to step deeper into His presence, trusting that He is leading us into life. [28:53]

Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV)
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally look for and join in with what God is doing in your church, family, or neighborhood this week?

Sermon Summary

This morning, we gathered in the presence of Christ, reminded by his promise that wherever two or three are gathered in his name, he is among us. Our worship was shaped by the imagery of water—a river flowing from the temple in Ezekiel’s vision, bringing life, healing, and transformation wherever it goes. This river is not just a symbol, but a profound reminder of God’s presence that sustains, renews, and restores, even in the midst of change and uncertainty.

Ezekiel’s vision comes at a time of exile, when God’s people were wrestling with the loss of their temple and the disorientation of a new reality. The angel guide leads Ezekiel through a detailed vision of a rebuilt temple, but the true climax is not the architecture—it is the river, the living water flowing from God’s presence, transforming barren places into flourishing ones. The Dead Sea becomes teeming with life, trees bear fruit for food and leaves for healing, and even the swamps yield precious salt. The question posed to Ezekiel—“Do you see it?”—is a question for us as well.

We, too, live in an “after time,” marked by events that have changed us: the pandemic, the loss of beloved leaders, and the transitions within our own community. Like the exiles, we may find ourselves longing for the “before times,” or wondering how to rebuild in the aftermath. Yet, the invitation is to look for the river—to notice where God’s presence is moving among us, bringing new life in unexpected places.

The purpose of our gathering, our worship, and even our rebuilding is not to recreate the past, but to draw near to the living God whose presence is the source of all life. We are called to be attentive, to ask ourselves, “Do you see it?”—to notice and follow where God is at work, and to allow ourselves to be transformed by that presence. As we move forward together, may we become “river people,” open to the healing, renewal, and abundance that flows from God’s Spirit. May we be still, and know that God is here, in the midst of our city, our church, and our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Presence Transforms “After Times” In seasons marked by loss, transition, or uncertainty, God’s presence is not diminished. Like the river in Ezekiel’s vision, God brings life to barren places and hope to those living in the aftermath of change. Our calling is not to rebuild what was, but to recognize and participate in the new life God is bringing forth among us. [26:23]
2. Attentiveness to God’s Movement is Essential The angel’s question, “Do you see it?” challenges us to pay close attention to where God is at work. It is easy to become preoccupied with details or nostalgia for the past, but true spiritual vision requires us to notice the subtle, transformative flow of God’s Spirit in our midst. This attentiveness opens us to healing and renewal. [25:06]
3. The Purpose of Community is Proximity to God The rebuilding of the temple was never about restoring a building, but about drawing near to God’s presence. Our community’s purpose is to gather around the living water, to be shaped and nourished by God’s Spirit, and to let that presence define our identity and mission. When we center ourselves on God, we become a source of life for others. [27:02]
4. Embracing Change with Hope and Collaboration Change is inevitable, and the longing for the “before times” can hinder our openness to God’s new work. By embracing change with hope, and by discerning together where God’s river is flowing, we can move forward in unity and purpose. Deliberate, collaborative change rooted in God’s presence leads to true flourishing. [28:18]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:52] - Gathering at the River Hymn
[02:09] - Call to Worship and Psalm
[03:09] - Affirmation of Faith
[04:34] - Bless the Lord, My Soul
[05:51] - Confession and Assurance
[08:06] - Living Water and Renewal
[09:48] - Prayer for Illumination
[12:03] - Reflections on Past Sermons
[13:14] - Introduction to Ezekiel
[15:06] - Enacting Ezekiel’s Vision
[17:11] - The River Brings Life
[19:10] - Water as a Scriptural Theme
[21:02] - “Do You See It?”
[23:45] - Before and After Times
[25:06] - Invitation to Attentiveness
[27:02] - The Purpose of Rebuilding
[28:18] - Embracing Change Together
[30:12] - Prayer and Blessing
[31:33] - Benediction and Sending

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading

Ezekiel 47:1–12 (ESV)
Then he brought me back to the door of the temple, and behold, water was issuing from below the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar. 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. Going on eastward with a measuring line in his hand, the man measured a thousand cubits, and then led me through the water, and it was ankle-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was knee-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was waist-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen. It was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be passed through. And he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he led me back to the bank of the river. As I went back, I saw on the bank of the river very many trees on the one side and on the other. And he said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, and enters the sea; when the water flows into the sea, the water will become fresh. And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. Fishermen will stand beside the sea. From Engedi to Eneglaim it will be a place for the spreading of nets. Its fish will be of very many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea. But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they are to be left for salt. 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.”

Observation Questions

In Ezekiel’s vision, what happens to the land and the Dead Sea as the river flows from the temple? What specific changes are described? ([17:11])
What question does the angel guide ask Ezekiel after showing him the river, and why might this be significant? ([16:30])
According to the sermon, what is the true climax or main point of Ezekiel’s vision—what is the angel guide really wanting Ezekiel to notice? ([25:43])
What are some of the “before and after” times mentioned in the sermon that parallel the experience of exile in Ezekiel’s day? ([23:45])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the river, rather than the rebuilt temple itself, is the focus of God’s transforming work in Ezekiel’s vision? What does this say about God’s presence? ([26:23])
The angel asks, “Do you see it?” Why might it be easy for Ezekiel—and for us—to miss what God is doing, especially in times of loss or transition? ([21:02])
The sermon says the purpose of rebuilding is not to recreate the past, but to draw near to God’s presence. How does this challenge the way we think about church, tradition, or community? ([27:02])
How does the image of the river bringing life to barren places speak to situations of change, grief, or uncertainty in our own lives or church? ([19:48])

Application Questions

The angel’s question, “Do you see it?” is asked of us today. Where have you noticed God’s presence or movement in your life or in our church recently? What helps you pay attention to this, and what distracts you? ([25:06])
The sermon mentions longing for the “before times” and the temptation to try to recreate the past. Are there areas in your life or in our church where you are holding onto the past? How might God be inviting you to notice new life instead? ([24:26])
The river in Ezekiel’s vision brings healing, renewal, and abundance. Is there a “barren” or “dry” area in your life right now that needs God’s living water? What would it look like to invite God’s presence into that place? ([29:32])
The sermon talks about embracing change with hope and collaboration, not just for the sake of change but to follow where God is at work. How can we as a group or church discern together where God’s “river” is flowing? What practical steps could we take? ([28:18])
The purpose of community is to draw near to God’s presence and become a source of life for others. How can you personally help our community center on God’s presence this week? ([27:02])
The vision ends with trees whose leaves are for healing and fruit for food. Who in your life or neighborhood might need the “healing” or “nourishment” that comes from God’s presence through you? How could you offer it? ([17:11])
The sermon invites us to “be still and know that God is here.” What is one way you can practice stillness or attentiveness to God’s presence in the coming days? ([30:12])

Sermon Clips

“We might think that Ezekiel is supposed to see the trees and their healing leaves, the abundant fruit, the multitudes of fish, the fertile soil, all wonderful things. But most importantly, the angel guide wants Ezekiel to see the water, the river. Oh mortal, have you had a good look? Do you see it? For there in the river is the presence of God, the water of life, as Jesus calls himself, living water.”

“The good news of today's text is that no matter what the temple looks like or feels like in this after time or what the environment or the circumstances of the world may feel like the presence of God is there and where there is the presence of God there can be life.”

“After all those chapters of the angel guide showing Ezekiel how the new temple might look, the angel guide is making sure to show Ezekiel the point of building a new temple. It isn't just to rebuild the temple like it was in the before times. That is impossible. The purpose of rebuilding the temple is to be near the presence of God.”

“The water that brings life, life to even the desert places and the seas full of salt. Do you see it? New friends here at CRCC. There is so much here that drew me to apply here. creativity, community, conscientious living, and I want to continue all of that. I especially love the beauty of worship, and I hope to expand on it.”

“I hope that you can already tell that there will be a lot of continuity in the things that are just so beautiful here. And I also want to say a bit like Ezekiel's situation, there is so much that will inevitably change simply because it's impossible to recreate a before time. And I know you know that.”

“I'm saying this because I want you to know that I'm conscious of that reality and that I don't want to make change for change's sake. I also want you to know that for any major changes, I want to do it in a deliberative collaborative way because I want it to be based on seeing God at work.”

“The river amongst us where God is at work. I want us to follow. I want us to temple a build around that because that is where life is. So come along, start asking yourself, do you see it? God's presence on the move and transforming things.”

“For when we start opening our eyes to God on the move, we may just end up like Ezekiel, totally enveloped by the river, who goes from ankle deep to knee deep to waist deep to something he's swimming in all in God's presence. I wonder just like how everything that touched that was touched by the river by God's presence if Ezekiel was also transformed and healed in his life.”

“I think the same can be true for us too. If only we dare to see God's presence and let it envelop us. Do you see it in this afterime reality we're in? Let us remember to see the water, the river, the that brings life. And let us go to the river wherever it may be.”

“For when we do, when we go to God's presence, we'll come to know a healing and transformation that only comes from him. May it be so.”

“Ezekiel is a Jewish prophet, of course, who lived during a time where the temple was destroyed. And he's living amongst his survivors, amongst the exiles all across the Babylonian Empire. And they're trying to figure out how to be the people of God together. How do they live when there is no temple?”

“And throughout the book that bears his name, Ezekiel has some bizarre visions, some to do with wheels in the sky, and there's a great cloud of lightning in the distance. His most famous vision is probably the dry bones in the valley who stand up again. And the text for today's sermon is Ezekiel's last vision.”

“We see the desert lands start to tee with life. The Dead Sea is transformed from its saltiness that is preventing anything in it from living. And now it has all kinds of fish and people can fish it. Trees are sprouting up everywhere with all kinds of different fruit. Even the swamps are redeemed.”

“Did you notice how they're left for salt? That's a good thing. Salt in the ancient world was a precious resource. And somehow out of the swamp, this resource is extracted. And so you have to ask my pesky question. Is there anything that's troubling in this text? Is it all rainbows and butterflies?”

“How do I worship here when so much of what I knew and loved from before seems to be so different? or others. How might we rebuild this temple in this after time? Friends, today let me invite you to the words of the psalmist who said, "Be still." And let the Holy Spirit, like the angel guide, ask us the same question.”

“For CRCC, there was a before COVID time and now there is an afterco time. And then in 2023, Pastor Bruce preached what became his last Easter morning message. was a powerful one. Those who were here, do you remember it? I watched it recently. There's a part in it where he picks up a flower pot with a African flower in it and then drops it.”

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