Swimming the Rapids

I will be standing there in front of you on the rock in Horeb.
Strike the rock, and the water will flow from it for the people
to drink. [Exodus 17:6]

Once more he measured off a thousand,
but there was now a river through which I could not wade;
 for the water had risen so high
it had become a river that could not be crossed except by swimming. [Ezekiel 47:5]

I will remove the stony heart from their bodies,
 and replace it with a natural heart. [Ezekiel 11:19]

I will put sinews upon you, make flesh grow over you,
cover you with skin, and put spirit in you
 so that you may come to life
  and know that I am the Lord. [Ezekiel 37:6]

Reflection:

    Do not fear the coming battles, nor shun
      the ominous sounds of tumbling and colliding stones.
    For all will lose the comfort
      of their first beds in the urging waters
        of the river of grace.

    And do not expect the spectral lines of justice to stand
      in bold relief
      amidst the mottled greys of crushed stones;
    though you may discern the tell-tale streaks of black and white,
    it's only a trick of the shadows.

    Oh, yes. These stones will crash and crack and crumble,
      leaving only fear filled fragments of long dead expectations...

    … and …    and, what?

    Perhaps the real us, the clay masks removed,
      the part that is not the figure of a king
        left as dust upon the ancient earth.

    For, had these stones remained in …    tact,
      and then received the breath of God
    what bleached bones could grow sinews and stand before his throne?