Text: Ezekiel 19:1-14
“And fire has gone out from the stem of its shoots, has consumed its fruit, so that there remains in it no strong stem, no scepter for ruling. This is a lamentation and has become a lamentation” (verse 14, ESV). Power over people is never just political or economic power, for true power among people is the power to influence. Israel was called out by God in a special relationship in order to have a powerful influence over the surrounding nations. But with moral and worship failure it automatically fails to
apply its influence over its neighbours.
Ezekiel laments over this, for it is a deep and profound loss. If the greatest truth made available to the people with the greatest potential, is to avail it, indeed, it is an enormous loss to the world if they have no influence. Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet” (Mat. 5:13).
Our Covenant God intended for us to be His message bearers, to bring the prophetic voice of His truth to the world! If we lose our integrity and our platform for speaking, what a terrible loss to the suffering people around us! There is no excuse for this. God is righteous in punishing us if we fail to use the fantastic potential that He has given each of us to glorify Him. There is then no weak and middle way, you and I are called and commanded by God to glorify Him in an excellent way with which to influence the
world. Pray that we may be able to do so!
Our loving Father in heaven, I come to You in humility and repentance. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me to be Your faithful ambassador in this dark world. In the name of Jesus Christ I have prayed. Amen.