The Dead Sea, also known as the Salt Sea, is the lowest place on earth. It’s 10 times as salty as the ocean, which makes it impossible for anything to live in it, but very possible for one to float in it!
My family and friends floating in the Dead Sea.
I remember floating in the Dead Sea, marveling at the fact that, besides tourists, there were no other living creatures in its waters. As someone who is deathly afraid of sharks and other sea creatures, this was a reassuring thought!
But did you know that when Jesus comes back, a life-giving river is going to flow from the temple all the way down to the Dead Sea and turn its salty water into living water? The Book of Ezekiel says that once the Dead Sea becomes fresh, it will be teeming with life. In fact, the prophet notes that it will be a regular destination for fishermen because of the abundant supply of fish.
“Then he brought me back to the entrance of the temple and there was water flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east… When it enters the sea, the sea of foul water, the water of the sea becomes fresh… Since the water will become fresh, there will be life everywhere the river goes” (Ezekiel 47:1, 8-9).
God promises life where there was once only death.
Is there a part of your heart or an area of your life that feels dead with no hope of being resurrected? Does it seem impossible for God to breathe life into that struggle or situation? Take heart! We serve the God who brings life to the lifeless. Just as His healing waters will transform the Dead Sea and make it abound with life, His healing waters can transform your heart and your circumstances and give you abundant life here and now. Invite Jesus in. Let His living water bring hope and life to those dark places in your heart.
"Jesus replied, 'Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life'" (John 4:13-14).
Because the Dead Sea is so rich in minerals, the mud is is said to be great for your skin. There are several Israeli skin care lines that use the Dead Sea minerals and mud, including Ahava (which means "love" in Hebrew). In this picture is me, my sister, and my good friend getting our mud scrub on at the Dead Sea!