Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “The Prostrate Prophet” – Wednesday, 28 May 2014 - Scripture: Ezekiel 1:22-2:2

Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “The Prostrate Prophet” – Wednesday, 28 May 2014 - Scripture: Ezekiel 1:22 Over the head of the living creature there was the likeness of an expanse, like the awesome crystal to look on, stretched out over their heads above. 23 Under the expanse were their wings straight, the one toward the other: each one had two which covered on this side, and every one had two which covered on that side, their bodies. 24 When they went, I heard the noise of their wings like the noise of great waters, like the voice of the Almighty, a noise of tumult like the noise of an army: when they stood, they let down their wings. 25 There was a voice above the expanse that was over their heads: when they stood, they let down their wings. 26 Above the expanse that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire[a] stone; and on the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man on it above. 27 I saw as it were glowing metal, as the appearance of fire within it all around, from the appearance of his waist and upward; and from the appearance of his waist and downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him. 28 As the appearance of the rainbow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. This was the appearance of the likeness of Yahweh’s glory. When I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of one that spoke.
2:1 He said to me, Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you. 2 The Spirit entered into me when he spoke to me, and set me on my feet; and I heard him who spoke to me.
Footnotes:
a. Ezekiel 1:26 or, lapis lazuli
“The Prostrate Prophet” by Duane C. Brush
When Ezekiel caught a glimpse of “the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD,” he “fell facedown” (v. 28). This is a typical response of those in the Bible who encounter the presence of God. John gives us a similar scene in Revelation 4. John describes God’s throne surrounded by 24 lesser thrones, an elder is seated on each one. Four living creatures continually cry out “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come” (Revelation 4:8). The elders in response fall down and lay their crowns before the throne (v. 10). They then begin to proclaim God worthy “to receive glory and honor and praise” (v. 11).
Ezekiel does not remain prostrate, however. God commands him to stand to his feet; even sending His Spirit to raise the prophet up. There was a mission to be done. God not only gave the command, but He enabled Ezekiel’s obedience. This would not be the last time God would so visit His prophet. With each pronouncement of His Word, God would provide an enablement of divine power.

Today, wherever His Word is received, God empowers His people, by His Spirit, to accomplish His will.

Hymn for Today:

“Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty” by Reginald Heber
1. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! 
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee; 
holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty, 
God in three persons, blessed Trinity! 
2. Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee, 
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; 
cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee, 
who wert and art and evermore shalt be. 
3. Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee, 
though the eye made blind by sin thy glory may not see, 
only thou art holy; there is none beside thee, 
perfect in power, in love, and purity. 
4. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! 
All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth and sky and sea; 
holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty, 
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
Thought for Today:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
Prayer Needs:
Many people in Benin will come to know Jesus the Christ, Yeshua the Messiah, and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
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