An Unyielding Connection With God

Ezekiel 36:26-28  A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.

In the heart of Babylonian captivity, a voice emerged, not of despair, but of divine commission. Ezekiel, a priest turned prophet, stood as a beacon of God’s presence among the exiles. His name, meaning ‘God will strengthen,’ predestined him for a journey of unwavering faith and intimate encounters with the Almighty.

It was a Call and Commitment -Ezekiel’s ministry began with visions that were both majestic and mystifying (Ezekiel 1). He saw the heavens open and beheld the likeness of God’s glory, an experience that both humbled and empowered him. This divine revelation set the tone for his relationship with God—a relationship marked by direct communication and profound revelations.

A Relationship Beyond the Veil -Ezekiel’s prophecies were not mere forecasts but were interwoven with his personal walk with God. He was not a distant observer but an active participant in God’s defining narrative. His life became a living metaphor, from lying on his side for 390 days to symbolize Israel’s punishment (Ezekiel 4:4-6) to the heartbreaking command to not mourn his wife’s death as a sign of impending judgment (Ezekiel 24:15-18).

 Watchman’s Burden -As a watchman, Ezekiel was entrusted with the weighty task of warning a rebellious people (Ezekiel 3:17). His relationship with God was characterized by obedience, even when it meant delivering messages of destruction. Yet, amidst the pronouncements of doom, Ezekiel’s connection with God revealed a glimmer of hope—the promise of restoration and a new covenant (Ezekiel 36:26-28). He went forward with whatever God called Him to do, faithfully and non-objectively. It was diligence and an ease of confidence and trust in the LORD.

The Intimacy of Intercession- Ezekiel’s intercessory role highlighted his closeness with God. He stood in the gap for his people, pleading for mercy despite their iniquities. His prayers and actions demonstrated a man deeply connected to God’s heart, understanding His grief over His people’s sins and His longing for their repentance.

The Legacy of a Prophet- For 21 years, Ezekiel served as a conduit of God’s voice. His unwavering faith amidst trials and his dedication to his prophetic calling exemplify a life fully surrendered to God. The book of Ezekiel stands as a testament to what it means to have a relationship with God that transcends circumstances—a relationship built on trust, obedience, and an unshakeable bond with the Creator.

Ezekiel’s life and ministry teach us that a relationship with God is not defined by the absence of hardship but by the presence of God’s leadership and strength. His story encourages believers to seek a deeper connection with God, one that stands firm in both trials and triumphs. May we all aspire to be watchmen in our faith, vigilant and steadfast, as we uphold the truth of God’s word in our lives.

Today – as Ezekiel listened – so too should we. The difficult times that have emerged in our country and the world, we have to be confident and hold on to the ties which bind us – Christ. We must forge forward with the zeal and voracity of a ardent Christian on the path of righteousness. We must maintain and obtain parameters in which we follow the Word and God’s voice fully. In order to get through what’s coming next, not only in this lifetime but in the eternity – we need to exercise full obedience in our choices, our thoughts and our ways of reflecting just who Christ is and what it means to be a Christian.

“Father, just like Ezekiel’s faith, may Your children adhere to Your voice and follow Your commandments, may they be willing to choose You over all else, and to maintain the light from within and be an example to those they encounter, lead us Lord, guide us and teach us, so we may be prepared and honed to be witness to Your glory today and always, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”