Speak Up!
SCRIPTURE: Ezek. 2:3-8
3 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. 4 The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says.’ 5 And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them. 6 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. 7 You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. 8 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.”
OBSERVATIONS: Ezekiel receives a strong command from God to speak His truth to the nation of Israel. It comes with a strong warning to speak on God's behalf whether or not the people will listen to him. The Lord makes it clear that no matter how he gets treated he must obey God or he will be held guilty of rebellion just like the people.
APPLICATION: Sometimes I have to admit that I am tempted to not speak the truth of God's Word because I know that it is not going to be well-received by the listeners. It is not popular to say that God says that there should be no sex before marriage, that He expects us to forgive our enemies, or that being tolerant does not include accepting any and all behaviors and beliefs of others. There are so many truths in the Bible that are counter-culture. And I have charged by God, as Ezekiel was, to communicate His truth to others regardless of whether they respond well to me or not. It isn't easy for me to say things that might make me unpopular. I like being liked. But God's approval is more important to me than the approval of others.
PRAYER: Lord, help me when I am tempted to "chicken out" in speaking up about what you say in your Word. Help me to be as effective as possible in communicating your truth in a way that others will receive it, but without compromising it either. I love you, Lord. Keep my heart from any fear of man. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
1 Comments:
One of the things I have always admired about you and Pastor Mike is that you have never been afraid to speak the truth, not matter how unpopular. There is a lot of compromise going on these days. When I was doing it, you pointed it out. Had I listened to your advise, I would be in a much better place right now. Even though I didn't listen, you still did the right thing. Good prayer.
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