Filed under: Uncategorized
In Ezekiel 40, God is giving measurements relating to the Temple; but even in this specific vision, there is something you and I need to hear for our own lives. It is what Ezekiel heard: “Son of man, see with your eyes, hear with your ears and give attention to all I am going to show you; for you have been brought here in order to show it to you. Declare to the house of Israel all that you see,” v.4. We need to take that bit of instruction to heart as we open our Bible to study, listen to a message, head out to work or school, go on a mission trip or meet a friend over a coffee! It seems to me that this is part of our mandate for life as believers.
“See with your eyes.” Be observant and go into each moment of your life with an expectancy that God has something you need to recognize. Throughout the Bible there are incidents when, as in Is 44.9, people fail to see or know and as a result, miss what God is saying. The question God asked Jeremiah in Jer 1.11 is implied throughout the Bible: “What do you see, Jeremiah?” Why would we ever look without the intent to see what God wanted us to see? This week, do what He says, “see with your eyes.”
“Hear with your ears.” Another command. Remember 1 Ki 19, where Elijah flees from Jezebel and hides in a cave, v.9. “What are you doing here, Elijah?” God asked. That question re-opened the door to freedom for Elijah, but it required that he first listen with his ears! God didn’t speak in the spectacular wind, the powerful earthquake…or even the raging fire…but in a still small voice, v.13. It was in the quietness that God spoke and gave Elijah directions that would change Israel dramatically. What might you have missed because you were not intent upon “hearing with your ears?”
“Give attention to all I am going to show you.” Pay attention. The implication is that something is about to be said or done…but in order to see and hear we often have to come to the place where we “cease striving and know that He is God.” Ps 46.10a. Where we will “be still.” Hard to do, but that is the posture of our heart and mind if we are paying attention. It is a place of not yielding to or even noticing distractions. It takes time, it requires us to settle into that place of contentedness that God promises, Is 32.18.
In Jn 4.7-42, the Woman at the Well, a despised Samaritan with many issues in her life was not the kind of person a “holy man” would be with; however, Jesus was with her! His disciples were shocked, puzzled when He turned down the food they brought Him. “My food,” He said, “is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work (His purpose),” Jn 4.34. Son of God though He was, even Jesus had to see with His eyes, hear with His ears and pay attention to all the Father was showing Him, because He had been sent to earth for a specific purpose. Sounds like He was doing Ezk 40.4!
PRAYER: Holy Spirit, open my eyes, my ears and mind…open my heart to see other people and circumstances as You do; to hear the cry of the heart in the ones around me. Even as You open my heart and mind, guard them so that Your hedge of protection is around me to stop the voices that are not Yours. Teach me to hear and see, YOU, Lord. Train me to pay attention and maintain my focus on You alone. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Leave a Comment so far
Leave a comment
