Offering Hope in Hard Times

“Son of man, let all My words sink deep into your own heart first.  Listen to them carefully for yourself.  Then go to your people in exile and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says!’ Do this whether they listen to you or not.”
Ezekiel 3:10-11 (NLT)

While in Babylon, the land of captivity, an exile named Ezekiel said, “he felt the hand of the LORD take hold of him.” Ezekiel 1:3b (NLT) Ezekiel describes an unusual vision of the glory of the Lord and then said that the Spirit of God called him saying, “Son of man, … I am sending you to the nation of Israel, a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me … They are a stubborn and hard-hearted people.  But I am sending you to say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says!’ And whether they listen or refuse to listen – for remember, they are rebels – at least they will know they have had a prophet among them.”  Ezekiel 2:3-5 (NLT)

Wow, what was that all about?  God always has a witness!  He never sends judgment without warning, and He was calling Ezekiel to be His voice to the people in the hope that they would listen and turn their hearts back to the Lord.  Like Jeremiah before him, Ezekiel was given a divine commission to share God’s word with His people.  Ezekiel would share God’s word with the captives in Babylon while Jeremiah spoke to those remaining back home in Judah.  About the same time, Daniel was God’s voice in the palace before the Babylonian Kings!  Clearly, God was speaking to His people through those available to Him. But, before they were to give a message from the Lord, here’s what God said to them.

“Son of man, let all My words sink deep into your own heart first.  Listen to them carefully for yourself. Then go to your people in exile and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says!’ Do this whether they listen to you or not.”  Ezekiel 3:10-11 (NLT)

Just like, Ezekiel, we have an opportunity to share a message of hope and warning.  But before we speak, we must take God’s word to heart. When His message sinks deep into our hearts, it will be obvious by our actions and demonstrations of love.  In fact, those actions will attract others to listen to what we have to say.  Many will notice the difference in our own lives and desire to know what makes that difference.  That’s when we can share the difference that Jesus can make in their lives just as He has in our own.  Ezekiel was just like you and me, a son of man.  Yet, he was available to all of God and that was all that it took for God to use him.  Will you be as available for what God may want to do through you today?  God is seeking those who are available to Him to use in mighty ways to share His love to a watching world in desperate need.  It may be as simple as inviting someone to church this weekend!  Be open to all that God desires to do and you will be amazed at what He does through you! 

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Another important part of your daily devotional is spending time with God in prayer. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board lists prayer requests submitted by our members and provides a way to send them some encouragement by using a button on the page to let them know that you prayed for them. Whether you use the Prayer Board, or pray from your heart, the goal is to build the habit of incorporating prayer into your quiet time.

Need prayer yourself? Let us know by submitting a prayer request on the Woodlands Church Prayer Board.