Read Ezekiel 3:16-27
Ezekiel surely had a lot to think about over those seven days. It would seem his assignment is all but hopeless. This reading picks up after that week of Ezekiel’s reflection. He had taken time to deal with how overwhelmed he must have felt. Notice how Ezekiel is cared for and given good instructions.
Despite the divine communication, I can almost feel the pressure Ezekiel faced in making sure he never ignored a message from God, no matter how difficult it might be. God had deemed it wise to give Ezekiel this great responsibility. Even the spirit promised to help him not say the wrong thing when provoked by the rebels.
We have all encountered people who push our buttons and rile us up. If only our mouths could be glued shut so we didn’t say something that was hurtful or unbecoming for a Christ-follower. How many times have words slipped out that we wish we could take back.
The message Ezekiel is hearing loud and clear is to speak up for God and never mind what the response might be. God will deal with people as he sees fit. So long as Ezekiel delivers the message, he has done what God has asked of him. Ezekiel has this assurance, “you will have saved yourself because you obeyed me.”
Isn’t that how God works? He sent Jesus to save all who believe and confess that Jesus is Lord. Romans 10:9 is one of those Bible verses we can cling to. “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” We know what is expected of us as believers today.
Those words can be especially comforting in light of God’s warning to Ezekiel about what happens to the “good guys.” Verse 20 says, “If righteous people turn away from their righteous behavior and ignore the obstacles I put in their way, they will die.” I don’t know about you, but I have encountered plenty of obstacles in my life. To think God may have put them there is quite a mind-blowing realization. God doesn’t do things without reason; so perhaps our obstacles are there to test us and make us more reliant on God.
How are you doing at relying on God? It can be hard in our “instant gratification” type culture. God’s timeline isn’t always moving as fast as we would like. Waiting on God’s timing can be hard. But if we are patient, the reward will be great.
Let’s pray. LORD, you have given me great responsibility to obey you and set a good example for those in my circle of influence. Even for people on the outside looking in, I pray that they see me living a fulfilled life because you are in it. Fill me with the necessary tools I need to complete the mission you have given me. Guide my steps. Put the right words in my mouth. I claim and receive all the blessings you have for me this day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
