Reading
SAA Notes
In 1975, God used these verses to call me to the ministry of Word and sacrament – to my own people. Ezekiel was sent to his own people surviving in exile. Why would this be a hard ministry?
SJA Notes
* Dear God, thank You for Your word to us today. Please write it on our hearts.
“And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions.”
God knows the truth of His people. He clearly states a number of times to Ezekiel that they are a rebellious people, stubborn hearts.
Ezekiel was called to preach God’s word to Israel in exile.
He had to combat much adversity, thorns and scorpions, hard heads and stubborn hearts.
In Joshua, one of the very early books in the bible, chapter 1 we read Joshua’s words to Israel,
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
What faced Ezekiel faces us today.
We will face hard heads and stubborn hearts.
How can we deal with the fear, with the briers and thorns and scorpions?
Our God is with us.
God calls each of us as He called Ezekiel, setting us to ministry across the full gamut of life.
How can we grapple with such a calling?
Our God is with us!
That is the wonderful message for us all. For Ezekiel in exile in Babylon. For the Israelites as they went into the promised land with Joshua leading them. For us today as we walk this narrow road.
Our God is with us!
And as is always true, we are led to our Lord Jesus!
He is Immanuel, God with us – At His birth the angels sang and the shepherds praised His Name.
How can we face the calling God has for us?
Our God is with us!
* Gracious Father,
Thank You that You called Ezekiel into a specific ministry to Israel in exile.
Thank You that You call us all into specific and intentional ministries, to preach Your word in thought, word and deed wherever You place us.
Thank You that You are with us, Immanuel – Hallelujah, what a Saviour!
Amen.