No matter where you are spiritually, you should desire to get deeper with God.

In Luke 5:4–7, Jesus gave Peter and the other disciples instructions, which they obeyed, and we see them get deeper into the sea, where they were successful. Had the disciples remained at the shore, they would not have caught as many fish as they did. This means that the distance between you and your blessings is your refusal to go deeper.

Another example is Moses and the Israelites; they had to break their tents to move forward.

The tabernacle had three chambers, but to get to the mercy seat, the priests had to pass through all three stages. Even today, don’t be satisfied in your comfort zone; there is much more at the mercy seat, in God’s presence.

Ezekiel experienced an overflow of the Holy Spirit at the temple river of God (Ezekiel 47:1–5). Here are the different levels:

• WATER TO THE ANKLE

Only a little part of the man of God was covered by the waters. More of the man was out of water. This is when we first got saved and started living for God, which requires little effort.

This is shallow water, signifying shallow Christians who have poor knowledge of the scriptures, low prayer stamina, an inability to lead or teach others, a lack of desire to worship, and ceremonial church attendance. There is very little resistance to sin; we have not yet learned to recognize the voice of God as He gently leads us into a deeper relationship with Him. Relationship growth is dependent on how long you stay.

• WATER TO THE KNEE (V 4)

This level requires a little more effort but is still dependent on your abilities.

At this level, one starts to sing during worship instead of looking around, begins to get involved in the church and the work of God, and feels comfortable and satisfied. However, these people are afraid of what others may think or say about them. They are still too close to shore. They are churchgoers, but they may easily go back to the shore (world).

• WATER TO THE LOINS/ WAIST (V 4)

People in this category are hardly influenced by the things of this world.

They have training on issues of God. The river is in control. Here, the waters cover about half of the man. Hence, more of God, less of man. Less control over yourself, and that allows the Lord more control over your flesh! The water starts hitting some very sensitive areas of your flesh.

• WATER TO SWIM

Total surrender to the will of God represents the deepest spiritual level that you can reach in this life. When you are this deep;

You are beyond your own ability; you have ceased to support yourself; you have given yourself up to the will of God; and you are so deep with God that your feet can’t touch the ground. Here faith and works go together: you have the ability and willingness to let go of things and move into a deeper relationship with God, take a stand for righteousness, and fulfill God’s commands to reach everyone you can with the message of Christ.

Ezekiel had reached a place where the river was in control. He was at the mercy of the river, the deepest spiritual level that you can reach in this life.

Peter put the nets deeper in the sea according to Jesus’ word and was successful.

Therefore, get deeper into your relationship with God. That way, you will receive your blessings, favor, breakthrough, and provision.