A Closer Walk
There are times when our God does things for His own reasons, which we may not be aware of nor understand. “Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, 'Therefore say to the house of Israel,' Thus says the Lord God, 'It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went. And I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord,' declares the Lord God, 'when I prove myself holy among you in their sight,'” Ezekiel 36:22-23 NASB.
The Old Testament Prophet Ezekiel testified both before and during the Babylonian exile of the nation Israel. His prophesies began around 593 B.C., and continued for approximately twenty-two years. This prophesy above is directed specifically to the nation Israel, but there are lessons for us as well. Now, our God never owes us, you and me, any explanation about His acts or actions. But in this case with Ezekiel, He chose to explain. Why is God going to act? For some person? For some cause? No. He is going to act for His Name's sake. And what is His explanation? Because His name has been profaned among the nations. In this particular chapter He tells Ezekiel that at some point in the future He will restore the nation and even bless them. So He not only explained but He gave Ezekiel a glimpse into the future. This prophesy, this prediction, takes place in the Old Testament books of Ezra and Nehemiah.
This has been said before in this space but I believe there is nothing wasted in the Kingdom of God. Everything has a time and a purpose. Our God has told us so. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven,” Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV. To every thing there is a season. And a time for every purpose under the heaven. And our God has no requirement to explain Himself or His actions to us. Although there are times, such as with Ezekiel, when He chooses to do that.
The Lord God Almighty revealed to the Prophet Ezekiel that He was going to act. Did He need to explain why He was going to act? Of course not! But He chose to. He explained to Ezekiel that He was going to act “...for His name's sake...” And further, because His name had been profaned among the nations, Ezekiel was chosen to prophesy and proclaim this message.
Just as He did in our passage above with Ezekiel and the nation of Israel, the Lord God acts in our own individual lives. Sometimes for our good. Sometimes for our growth. Sometimes for our protection. Ever wonder why there are roadblocks or closed doors when we are wanting to do a certain thing or take on a certain project? That could be our Lord acting on our behalf for our protection. But that doesn't mean we should give up at the first sign of difficulty. After all, the Lord may desire to test our resolve in a particular situation. There is a plaque hanging in our house that says, “Faith makes things possible, not easy.” We may not understand why He is acting. We may not understand why He sometimes chooses to delay His actions. Here is a quote, “God is never late and rarely early. He is always exactly right on time--His time.” Dillon Burroughs, an Evangelical Christian Publisher's Association best selling author. He has written or co-written over thirty-eight books.
During those times when He delays He is still teaching us something. Maybe to strengthen our faith. Maybe to help us build our trust in Him. Or maybe to make us more like Christ our Savior. But there can be no doubt that He is acting; because that is what He does. And He never sleeps. “He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep,” Psalm 121:3-4 NASB.
As this new year gets under way we have the assurance that our God is always acting. And sometimes He acts for reasons we aren't aware of and don't understand. But we can have faith in Him. And we can place our trust in Him.
“But just as it is written, 'Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those that love Him,'” 1 Corinthians 2:9 NASB.
“God sent His son They called Him Jesus He came to love, heal and forgive He lived and died to buy my pardon An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives. Chorus: Because He lives, I can face tomorrow Because He lives, all fear is gone Because I know He holds the future And life is worth the living just because He lives. How sweet to hold a newborn baby And feel the pride and joy he gives But greater still the calm assurance This child can face uncertain days because He lives. Because He lives, I can face tomorrow Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future And life is worth the living just because He lives.” Words and music by Bill and Gloria Gaither, both still serving the Lord. Available on Youtube.