Ezekiel 33:33: “And when this comes to pass—surely it will come—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.”

September 26th, 2021 by Pastor Ed in devotional

Ezekiel had been proclaiming God’s message that Jerusalem would fall to Babylon for many years, and in the 12th year of their captivity that day finally came, yet the people still refused to believe Ezekiel. Jerusalem had fallen, and God said He would soon cause the land to become utterly desolate. And when that happened, then all the people would realize that Ezekiel was a real prophet from God.

God had called Ezekiel to be like a night watchman, one who faithfully warns when danger is approaching. As long as a watchman is faithful and clear in his warning, he is not held responsible for how people respond to his alarm. But if he sees coming danger and does not sound the alarm, he is held responsible. This is what every believer, in every century, in every location throughout the world has also been called to, warning others about eternity.

Decades ago a Portland, Oregon newspaper reported on a truck driver, who due to extreme fog, didn’t see that a bridge was out. His truck went down the river gorge, but he was miraculously uninjured. He crawled back up to the main road and frantically tried to stop other drivers who didn’t know about the bridge. He waved his arms and shouted, “Stop, stop! The bridge is out! The bridge is out!” But most, to their own hurt, drove right past him, thinking he was a wacko. Such is the situation many in our modern world face. They have actually experienced the pitfalls this life holds and know which way is the wrong direction, but their warnings go unheeded. In fact, most are often reviled and ridiculed for having the arrogance to tell others that something is the wrong way.

But what if there really is a right and wrong direction? Are you sure the road you are traveling won’t leave you without a bridge at your journey’s end? When we speak God’s truth, in love, to others, and we pray for them, then we fulfill our responsibility. However, if we fail to warn them with the claims of the Good News, then we have failed to “go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel.” The heart of God yearns for every human being to be with Him in eternity. Every human being bears the stamp of God on their soul, for we are all made in His image.

“LORD, give us the courage and grace to speak of Your truth in love to all we meet this day, in Jesus’ name.”