Discovery Journal

Sherrill W. – August 28, 2011

Scripture:

Ezekiel 3:12-15 Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a loud rumbling sound - may the glory of the Lord be praised in his dwelling place! -- the sound of the wings of the living creatures brushing against each other and the sound of the wheels beside them, a loud rumbling sound. The spirit then lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the Lord upon me. I came to the exiles who lived at Tel Abib near the Kebar River. And there, where they were living, I sat among them for seven days - overwhelmed.

Observation:

Ezekiel had just had his vision of God's perfection and the Lord telling him to speak to his countrymen even though he knew they would not listen to him. The juxtaposition of "the glory of the Lord" that he had just witnessed, and the coming frustration of knowing that he was to speak to "the hardened and obstinate" to no avail was so much for him that he was overwhelmed. But, what God wanted, and what Ezekiel did - was to obey!

Application:

Randy's message this morning mirrors this passage. A "dove" experience followed by a "desert."  As much as Ezekiel was overwhelmed by it all, he knew that the Lord was with him ("the strong hand of the Lord was with me"). When I get "overwhelmed" I must remember that above all - be obedient to the Lord - He is always with me.

Prayer:

Lord, May I be ever obedient to Your calls to me. However small and subtle or loud and insistent, take away my hesitancy, take away my pride. For Your glory, I am Yours. Thank You, Lord, Amen.