Bible Pathway - September 1

Read Ezekiel 1

Highlights:

Ezekiel's vision of God's administration; his call; warning of judgment.

Moreover He said unto me, Son of man, all My words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears. And go . . . tell them, Thus saith the Lord (Ezek. 3:10-11).

In a vision Ezekiel was given a scroll, and was told to eat it. Although the scroll was full of lamentations, and mourning, and woe, it was as honey for sweetness in his mouth (2:10; 3:3).

This vision foretold how Ezekiel would be satisfied with the Word of God, even though it revealed the sorrows that would befall the people of Israel for rejecting his message. The prophet's task was not easy, for they were a rebellious people. But God never expects anyone to proclaim His Word in his own strength. As Ezekiel received God's Word in his heart, he became strong in the Lord to withstand the opposition.

It has often been said that God does not call the equipped, but He equips the called. That is to say, God will give us everything that we need to accomplish the mission that He has laid out before us. Our skills can be useful to God. After all, He gave them to us. However, a particular skill is not necessary to serve God. We don't need any great gift to make available to Him. We are enough. Our lives are enough. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service (Rom. 12:1).

It is the responsibility of each Christian to faithfully tell others the good news that Christ died to save sinners who will trust Him as their Savior. We must learn to share our faith in Christ at every opportunity given. If the world is to know about the Gospel story, they will most likely hear it from a believer sharing his testimony of commitment to Christ. We must carry this message to the world. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (Matt. 28:19). Evangelism is one of our most important tasks as a believer and began with just 12 men carrying the Gospel message to the world. It is true all will not hear our message, but we must do all we possibly can to carry it to the world just the same.

I have given them Thy Word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world (John 17:14). But be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (16:33).

Thought for Today:

Those who remain close to the Lord need not fear the ridicule of the wicked.

Christ Revealed:

In a likeness as the appearance of a man, who sat upon the throne (Ezek. 1:26-28). This foreshadowed God who appears as a Man, the Man Christ Jesus (1 Tim. 2:5).

Word Studies:

1:18 dreadful, awesome, wonderful; 1:20 up over against, close beside; 3:12 rushing, tumult, shouting; 3:14 heat, anger; 3:26 dumb, unable to speak to warn them; 4:16 break the staff, cut off the supply.

Prayer Suggestion: Praise the Lord with all of your heart, and tell others of the marvelous things He has done (Ps. 73:28).

Optional Reading: Revelation 6

NOTE: Bible Pathway covers the Old Testament with devotional and commentary insights over a nine-month period, January through September. Each day during these months, an optional reading of one chapter a day from the New Testament will also be listed. The October, November, and December issues will provide a daily commentary on the New Testament readings. Thus, the reader goes through the New Testament twice each year using the Bible Pathway plan.

Memory Verse for the Week: Proverbs 3:1-2