Reflections of a Young Pilgrim

NOTE: You can read Part 1 of this article by clicking here.

There was a time when Israel (God’s chosen people) was acting like a rebellious child itself. The people basically turned rebellious and proud, so the Lord sent prophet upon prophet to beckon and warn them back, but they would not hear Him. Here’s an interesting piece written by the prophet Ezekiel in that period…

Ezekiel 3:4  And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them.

Ezekiel 3:5 For thou [art] not sent to a people of a strange speech and of an hard language, [but] to the house of Israel;

Ezekiel 3:6 Not to many people of a strange speech and of an hard language, whose words thou canst not understand. Surely, had I sent thee to them, they would have hearkened unto thee.

Ezekiel 3:7 But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel [are] impudent and hardhearted.

As most Bible readers know, the Lord soon chastised Israel and broke them for a time. They were conquered by the Babylon empire and its people were literally scattered all across the globe. And though he worked many might deeds during that time (see the books of Daniel, Esther, and others), it wasn’t until many many generations later that the country was reformed.

Now God still hasn’t broken His promise with His chosen people Israel (seriously, this country from B.C. times is still alive? Don’t tell me no one’s watching out for them!), but he’s also chosen a second people: the Christian church, under Jesus Christ.

So what’s the relevance of Israel and the old warnings that God sent through the prophets? Because much of His church today is repeating Israel’s mistakes. They are so distracted by the immediate cares of this life that they lose sight of God and His kingdom. And as he sent watchmen to warn His children back then (the prophets), so history is repeating today.

I see His children walking in pride and thinking they’re perfect / in need of nothing, I see them walking in depression because they’re so focused on their inwards feelings (and on deceiving words that weren’t from God), and especially I see people that don’t take God seriously because they don’t think God’s coming soon anyway. Few really expect Him and even fewer are truly prepared.

I see Christians that are so focused on the everyday life—work, family, entertainment, etc—that they put off spending time with God and practically forget Him as part of their lives. Now that might not sound as bad as… say… a willful backslider, but truthfully, the result’s the same… they get so caught up in the immediate senses that they lose sight of their Lord, lose sight of what really matters.

All in all, God’s message to Ezekiel about ministering to the Old Testament church also applies to us about ministering in the New Testament one. The Lord asks us to be there for His hurting children, and not just ready ourselves or unbelievers. Many in the present day church are needy and hurting, and they need His watching people—children of God—to minister to them as well. They need someone to tell them how to prepare for the Lord’s arrival, and how to enjoy the everyday life of watching and living for the Lord to the fullest.

Keep in mind that “ministering” doesn’t always mean to preach by word, it also means to preach by example. It means to serve and love, whether in deed or word, so others can see the shining light of Jesus in you. In a blind world of darkness, you shine His light.

May the Lord give us the wisdom and direction to do so in every opportunity He gives us.

Ezekiel 3:8 Behold, I have made thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads.

Ezekiel 3:9 As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they [be] a rebellious house.

Surely, not every person we minister to will happily receive us. In fact, it’s a sure thing that some people will be offended at what you say or stand for. And so the Lord encourages us time and time again in the Bible with this lesson… fear not, believe only (Luke 8:50). Neither be dismayed. Whether we walk in the calm or a storm, whether people accept us or reject us, we don’t have to worry! This is after all for His glory (as we sometimes forget that life isn’t all about us), this is by His design. The Lord tells us these hardships in advanced to… not discourage … but to prepare you, that you may be encouraged and know that you’ll have an expected end (Jeremiah 29:11). This is called WALKING IN FAITH, where even though you’re not in control, you literally trust everything to Jesus.

So never be offended or discouraged at that like they’ve personally rejected you; the Bible says it’s because they wouldn’t hear Him first (John 15:18, 24-25)! But according to His Word, God has made us (His children) strong so we can go out and successfully do His good will (glory to Him for that, for we have little strength ourselves).  And what God says always happens. He never gives us a task that is impossible for us. Therefore, even though we’re not able to save anyone by our own power, He can cultivate the seed from even the smallest ministering and He’ll take it the rest of the way.

The subject of preparing ourselves for the Lord’s return, everyday ministering, and walking in faith, are all very interesting topics with lots of Biblical foundation that can be seriously enlightening, and I suggest you study them with the Lord further so you can live the watchman’s life to the fullest. For the purpose of this blog post though (I believe I’m at 5 pages already), I won’t be delving into that.

In summary, this study’s purpose was to learn more about the assignment from our Lord about being a good watchman, that we (being newly adopted children) should not only keep ourselves ready for His arrival, but minister to His other children around us (unbeliever or otherwise) that they may be prepared too.

Ezekiel 3:10 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.

Ezekiel 3:17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.

Lord, may we not only hear your word with our ears, but truly receive it in our hearts too. As you appointed us to be watchmen, we pray that you guide our thoughts, words, and actions everyday, so that we may be personally prepared to meet you, that we may warn and minister to the unsaved world for your arrival, and that we may warn and minister to the needful sheep that you may guide them into your rest.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.