The Voice

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 1

 Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking. (Ezekiel 1.28)

Devotional Thought: The corona virus pandemic of 2020/2021 felt like a time of exile.  Separated from family and friends, longing to see loved ones appear at the door, absent from houses of worship... we needed an "appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord."

In exile, Ezekiel was separated from his homeland, from familiar comforts, and from the Temple.  But he was not in exile from God, who came to him in a vision.  Ezekiel fell on his face in worship when he saw "the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord."  There was the appearance... then the likeness... then the glory... of the Lord.  What an experience!  These things caused him to fall on his face.  Then, kneeling before God, he "heard the voice of one speaking."  The signs preceded the Voice, but it was the Voice that brought hope, that gave meaning.

In these times of uncertainty, we would all benefit from "the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord," but that experience alone is not enough.  We need to hear the Voice of God:

·       I will not leave you or forsake you. (Joshua 1.5)

·       I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28.20)

·       He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1.6)

·       I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. (John 14.18)

·       I go and prepare a place for you; I will come again and will take you to myself. (John 14.3)

Hear the Voice today in his Word!

Prayer: O Lord, I long for your appearing.  Until you come again, help me to hear your voice in your Word and to find hope and strength for each day.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 24.1-6

1 The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,

2 for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place?

4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.

5 He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah