Ezekiel 33:7 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.”

It would seem that Ezekiel had some hesitation in following through with his commission! Given his circumstances, that really isn’t surprising, but many men of God down through the centuries have had the same problem. It’s easier to be quiet! However, that doesn’t work very well. Jeremiah said, “But if I say, ‘I will not mention Him or speak any more in His Name,’ His Word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.” (Jeremiah 20:9) The magnitude of this task is blunted, I think, by how the NIV translates it: “give them warning from me.” The Japanese is a bit stronger: “give them warning in my place (as my representative).” This is exactly what Paul was talking about when he said, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20) The devil tries to get us to back down from such a commission, telling us we aren’t worthy of it. Actually, we aren’t, but it is God’s sovereign choice, and He makes us worthy through the blood of Christ. When God chooses to use someone and speak through them, it is certainly not something they should take personal pride it, but neither is it something they can run away from. Jonah should be a sufficient object lesson for that!

My own commission has never been on the scale of an Ezekiel or a Jeremiah, but I have certainly experienced God speaking through me many times. The thing is, under the New Covenant in Christ’s blood, which we celebrate every time we have Communion, every believer is to be filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit to be a witness, that is, a spokesperson, for Christ. (Acts 1:8) I have learned, at times the hard way, that I have to pay attention to the things God says through my mouth, but I am totally convinced that God wants to speak through each of His children. Paul said we are to earnestly desire to speak for God! (1 Corinthians 14:1) I have tried to get this across to the believers, but only a few have really accepted the idea. For that matter, I know and have known many pastors who labor over messages, seeking to polish them from a human perspective, rather than seeking to open up to the free flow of the Word of God through them. It’s not that we aren’t to present the Word in the best way possible, but we must never let the methodology take precedence over the fact that we are letting God speak through us! I have gotten in the way of what God was saying more times than I like to think about. My job is to be fully available, and then get out of the way. He is more than able to handle the job!

Father, thank You for the incredible privilege of being Your agent. Keep me from pride, and keep me from the false humility that says my weaknesses are too great and glaring for You to be able to use me. Help me welcome Your shaping and polishing so that I may be increasingly useful to You, for calling people to repentance and building up the Body of Christ, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!