a child of god
this is the way, run in it
I've just finished reading the book of Ezekiel, in my read-through-the-bible plan. And instead of breathing a sigh of relief, as some might, I say - I'd like to be like Ezekiel. And I'll tell you why.
A lot of people, when you mention the prophet Ezekiel, say, oh that poor man! The things he had to do. And he did have some difficult, and some disgusting, tasks to perform for God as God's spokesman during his time period. For a reason, I hasten to add! God always has a reason. And the reason was God was trying to get through to His stubborn, sinful, willful and hard of hearing people. The reason I say I'd like to be like Ezekiel is he was privileged. Yes, privileged. He got to see the glory of the LORD God almighty, not just once at the river Chebar, but three times. He saw when the glory of the LORD departed from the temple, from the midst of God's people, because of their sin, and he got to see the prophetic vision of the glory of the Lord when He enters the temple again in the Millennial Kingdom, after Jesus comes back. Not only that, but Ezekiel has seen in visions things that no one else has seen yet - they are yet to happen - like the river of life flowing from the Millennial temple. He was the first person to see these things, because He served God faithfully. He had the privilege of being the first to see what God was going to do, on down the line. For people like Ezekiel, though, and the sons of Zadok, priests to the LORD God mentioned in chapters 40:46; 44:15-16, 23-28, it was the nearness of God, being in His presence that was their reward. That is why they did what they did - serve Him faithfully no matter what the people around them did. And God saw that and He will give them their proper reward - they will get to minister to Him, be in His presence, stand before Him, teach the people the difference between the holy and the profane, and have God Himself as their inheritance. For Ezekiel as well, who was scorned and not listened to for most of his prophetic service, God says, in Chapter 33, v. 33, "So when it comes to pass - as surely it will - then they will know that a prophet has been in their midst." God will vindicate Ezekiel. He says so, and God keeps His promises. I think that is a lovely and loving gesture from God to Ezekiel. That sort of validation only God can give. It's like when God says to you, or to me, "You are Mine." God claims, protects and cherishes His own. So the next time you have to read Ezekiel, think about the amazing visions he saw, how God revealed some of His glory to Ezekiel, His servant, His prophet. And consider what God might want to say or reveal to you, today. And for what purpose. For any of that to happen, though, we have to have our eyes and ears on God, and give Him our time and attention. He's worth it!
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Franci Ballwatching and working for the kingdom of God in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham - UK Archives
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