Hello sweet friends,
Today’s Reading … Ezekiel 5-17
Ezekiel was carried into Babylonian captivity in 597 BC, he was 25 years old at the time. His book of prophecy is 48 chapters and is divided at the halfway point by the total destruction of Jerusalem. This crisis occurred 11 years after Ezekiel entered Babylon. Ezekiel was called to preach to the captives in Babylon, they were a “captive audience” (hee hee). Sorry, couldn’t resist adding a touch of levity to a very weighty book!
A key phrase in this book is, “The word of the Lord came to me,” it appears 49 times. Do you think that the word of the Lord can still come to you? We read so many things in the Old Testament that are foreign to us; strange laws, animal sacrifice, societal roles and regulations. All of these things can lead us feeling disconnected from the stories that we are reading. And yet, it is the same God who sent Jesus, who created each of us and still desires relationship with us today. There is the key. Relationship. Throughout history, the God of the universe has humbled Himself in order to connect with those whom he loves. An ark, a miracle baby, a burning bush, a divided sea, judges, prophets, and eventually His own Son, all of these miraculous gifts were meant to draw us closer to God. The form of communication may look different but the heart of our Father is unchanged.
Therefore, I do believe that The word of the Lord can still come to us. It comes to us everyday that we read His Holy Scripture. That is direct communication with God. It is the living Word of God, more powerful than a two edged sword. The word of the Lord comes to us in answered prayer, in a beautiful sunset, in children’s laughter. The Word of the Lord comes to us in pain too deep for words, in tears and in suffering. The word of the Lord comes to us through the encouraging words of a friend, a tender smile from a stranger and a hand to hold at a weak moment. The Lord is omnipresent, everywhere, and so is His word.
Ezekiel was praying for and expecting to hear from God. Are you? We can make a choice, every day to ask the Lord to speak to us and then expect Him to do so. He desires relationship, He will not turn you down. This is such a thrilling proposition, a continual expectation that the Lord of the universe want to communicate with each one of us. Let’s not miss this! Start now…I can’t wait to hear what He has to say to you!
Love to you all,
Kinsee
“so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return empty, but accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it”(Isaiah 55:11).
