Do not rebel like that rebellious people; open your mouth and eat what I give you. (Ezek. 2:8)
Expanded Passage: Ezekiel 1:1, 25-28; 2:1-8
When you’re surrounded by people who normalize sin, it’s easy to justify certain behaviors. As young adults, drunkenness and sexual immorality are rampant, and you’ll find no shortage of folks willing to overlook the sinfulness of those things. As we get older, we find things like gossip, lying, negativity, and even infidelity are common and justified behaviors.
The world is full of “rebellious people,” but God calls on us to reject the rebellion. We are a people set apart and called (like Ezekiel) by God to know and appreciate his magnificence. As such, we glorify him as Creator and follow his lead into exile and beyond, trusting he will sustain, provide, and protect us every step of the way.
God said to “open your mouth and eat what I give you.” We would never give our babies something harmful. We provide for them everything they need. This is God’s message to Ezekiel—and to us. Trust, obey, and believe in the love of God to keep and guide us.
The world is going to rebel until Jesus’ return, but we don’t have to participate in that. In fact, we must not, because we serve a great God—the one who is a rainbow in the storm, a brilliant light illuminating the darkness. Ezekiel’s vision and message from God is something we can all take comfort in.
Cling to the light of God in the darkness.
Ericka Andersen is a member of Waterline Church in Fishers, Ind.. She’s a wife and mom to two and enjoys writing, podcasting, running, and country music.
© 2023 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
