Ezekiel 2

We're living in a time when we are going to have to stand up for truth and for what's right on a more consistent basis. This is the case within our country and unfortunately sometimes within our church as well. How can we boldly stand if we don't first know what we ourselves stand for? 

I was encouraged recently in my reading and study of Ezekiel chapter 2. First of all, in verse 6 we find God telling us, "don't be afraid of them nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you dwell among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, ..." God is pointedly stressing here that we have nothing to be afraid of concerning those who are against us. He specifically mentions the looks they will give you and the words they'll say to you. Our humanity often immediately becomes concerned with, "what will they say or think", but the Lord tells us not to worry or fret about these things. Secondly, in verse 7 and 8 God tells Ezekiel, "speak My words to them" and "hear what I say to you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you." Friends we have to know what God is saying to us in order to speak on His behalf. We have to be eating the Bread of Life, so that we can share the bounty with others. The more a person knows what they believe the more boldly that individual will stand for those beliefs. However, I can't stress enough those beliefs must be Scripturally based. 

Jesus gives us some excellent council in Matt. 10:28, "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." It's all about perspective. What have we to fear when we serve One who has all power and can deliver us from any situation in the here and now, but more importantly can deliver us into eternity in the here after.