August 28, 2021: SOAP #4286:  Ezekiel 1-3; Revelation 2

SCRIPTURE:  Ezekiel (NIV) 3:24 Then the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet. He spoke to me and said: “Go, shut yourself inside your house.
25 And you, son of man, they will tie with ropes; you will be bound so that you cannot go out among the people.
26 I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, though they are a rebellious house.
27 But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you shall say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says.’ Whoever will listen let him listen, and whoever will refuse let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house.

OBSERVATION:  The Spirit of God told Ezekiel what to do and what was going to happen to him.  His mouth would be so dry that he would be unable to talk, to complain, or to defend himself. 

BUT when God gave him something to say, God would open his mouth and enable him to speak. 

APPLICATION:  When God gives me something to do, He will provide what is necessary for me to accomplish the assignment. 

When God assigns something beyond my abilities or my resources, He will use it to build my faith.  God may use others to help or provide, but I should not pressure anyone to help or give.  They will respond to God much better than to me.  Rather than twisting a man’s arm to convince them that they should help me, I should wait patiently for God’s provision.  Waiting in faith is a way of twisting God’s arm because God responds to faith. 

God’s enabling and provision provides proof of His calling.  He is not depending on my abilities and resources; He wants me to depend on His ability and His resources! 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, as you enabled Ezekiel to speak when he had a word from you, so enable me to carry out what you have assigned me. I rest in your will. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!