In what ways can we apply Ezekiel's submission to God's will in our lives? Ezekiel’s Restrictive Call “And you, O son of man, behold, they will put ropes on you and bind you with them so that you cannot go out among the people.” (Ezekiel 3:25) God literally told Ezekiel he would be tied up—physically limited—to make His message unmistakable. Ezekiel’s quiet “yes” to that command models wholehearted surrender. Lessons for Everyday Obedience • Obedience may come with limitations we never asked for. • God‐ordained restrictions safeguard the purity of His message through us. • Submission is not passive resignation; it is active trust in a wise, sovereign Lord. Practical Ways to Live Ezekiel’s Submission 1. Accept the cost of obedience • Luke 9:23—“take up your cross daily.” • Decide ahead of time that God’s will outranks comfort, reputation, or preference. 2. Embrace seasons of hiddenness • Ezekiel was kept from “going out among the people.” • Galatians 1:15–18 shows Paul spending years in obscurity before public ministry. • Use quiet seasons to deepen prayer, study, and character rather than chafing against them. 3. Guard your words • Ezekiel 3:26—God made the prophet mute except for His messages. • James 1:19—“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak.” • Ask, “Is this God’s word for this moment, or just my opinion?” 4. Trust God in forced circumstances • Philippians 1:12–14—Paul’s imprisonment advanced the gospel. • Recognize that what feels like a rope may be a divine platform for witness. 5. Wait for God’s timing • Ezekiel 24:27—his mouth opened “when the fugitive comes.” • Romans 8:25—“if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience.” • Refuse shortcuts; let God unveil His plan in His own sequence. 6. Offer your body as a living sacrifice • Romans 12:1—our physical lives belong to God. • Ezekiel’s bound body illustrates yielded bodies today—eyes, hands, calendar, devices, finances—available for His purposes. Encouraging Promises When Obedience Feels Binding • Proverbs 3:5–6—He “will make your paths straight.” • Isaiah 41:10—“I will strengthen you; I will help you.” • 1 Peter 5:6—“Humble yourselves… He will exalt you in due time.” • Hebrews 13:20–21—He “equip[s] you in every good thing to do His will.” Summary Thoughts Submission like Ezekiel’s is not about ropes; it is about relinquishing control. When God permits constraints, He positions us to display His glory. Yielded hearts, guarded words, patient waiting, and trustful endurance turn unavoidable limitations into holy platforms for His unmistakable work in and through us. |
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