Words of Encouragement

(Ezekiel prophesying to the elders)

                                                                                                                               He said to me, "Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you." As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me. He said: "Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their fathers have been in revolt against me to this very day. The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says.' And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them. And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house. You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you." - Ezekiel 2:1-8

You Want Me? Ezekiel: No Fear! Ezekiel is told to stand up!  Stand on your feet, stand for the Lord, be ready to stand in your position.  Then the scripture says the Spirit of God stood him up.  Do you know that is what God will do for us?  He will stand us up and make us able to be sure footed for what is ahead.

God tells Ezekiel, I know where I am sending you.  I am sending you to a hardheaded people.  He then tells him do not be afraid of them.  I will make you strong against them.  No matter how hard they are, I will make you stronger.  God tells him to not be afraid against them, I will make you able.  He also tells him, do not become rebellious like these people I am sending you to.  When it is all said and done, whether they believe you or not, they will know that a prophet has been among them.

What encouragement from the Lord.  Do you know it is difficult at times when God tells you to do something and no one sees it or wants to acknowledge it is God telling you what to do?  But we have God's reassurance that he will prove himself in us.  That which he calls us to do, we simply must be faithful to it and watch God changes hearts and minds. The last verse of this piece of scripture has God given Ezekiel the instruction to eat something.

If you read on in the scripture you will see that which he is instructed to eat is the word of God.  Do you know that is the true key to our success as followers of Christ.  When you and I follow after Christ and eat of his word, we are then equipped to stand.  Otherwise, we are simply weak and unfit for service.  We cannot do God's will if we do not know God's will.  We must eat his word and allow it the build our spiritual bones.

Today I pray for us that we cast of  all fear that would shut up our mouths to speak God's truth.  May we find courage to become mighty warriors for the Lord.  May we speak with boldness and power.  May we accept God's call that we are worthy not because of our own doing, but because of his.  Lord today, make us into the people you see us being.  Your chosen people, set aside, royal priest usable for service.