What steps can we take to respond obediently to God's call like Ezekiel? Ezekiel’s Moment: A Pattern for Our Obedience “The hand of the LORD was upon me there, and He said to me, ‘Get up, go out to the plain, and there I will speak with you.’ ” (Ezekiel 3:22) From this single verse—and the verses that follow—flow clear, practical movements of heart and action. Each movement forms a step we can take today. --- Step 1 — Acknowledge the Lord’s Initiative • “The hand of the LORD was upon me there…” • Every call begins with God’s sovereign touch, not human ambition (Genesis 12:1). • Response: Lay down personal agendas; approach each day expecting His prior claim on it. --- Step 2 — Tune Your Ear to His Voice • “…and He said to me…” • God still speaks through His written Word and by His Spirit (Isaiah 30:21; John 10:27). • Response: Open Scripture first; silence competing voices; take notes on specific promptings. --- Step 3 — Rise Immediately • “Get up…” • Delayed obedience is disobedience (Matthew 4:20). • Response: Act on the next clear instruction without procrastination—phone the person, give the gift, start the conversation. --- Step 4 — Go Where He Sends • “…go out to the plain…” • God’s appointments often lie outside our comfort zone (Acts 8:26). • Response: Physically place yourself where He directs—whether a kitchen table, a hospital room, or a distant mission field. --- Step 5 — Expect Further Revelation After the First Step • “…and there I will speak with you.” • Fresh guidance often comes mid-obedience, not before it (Genesis 22:12). • Response: Take the initial step confident that clarity will increase on the way. --- Step 6 — Respond in Humble Worship • “So I got up and went out to the plain. And behold, the glory of the LORD was standing there… and I fell facedown.” (Ezekiel 3:23) • A genuine encounter with God produces reverence, not casual familiarity (Revelation 1:17). • Response: Cultivate awe—kneel, sing, or simply stay silent before Him. --- Step 7 — Rely on the Spirit’s Empowering • “Then the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet…” (Ezekiel 3:24) • Obedience requires supernatural enablement (Acts 1:8; Zechariah 4:6). • Response: Consciously invite the Holy Spirit to fill and steady you before each task. --- Step 8 — Continue in Ongoing, Specific Obedience • “He spoke with me and said, ‘Go, shut yourself inside your house.’” (Ezekiel 3:24) • God’s call unfolds step by step; yesterday’s “yes” leads to today’s assignment (James 1:25). • Response: Keep a posture of readiness; write down each new directive and follow through. --- Living It Out Daily • Start each morning recognizing His hand on your life. • Read Scripture aloud, listening for personalized command. • Move quickly on the first clear action, trusting more light will come. • Maintain a worshipful heart, depending on the Spirit for strength. • Record His ongoing instructions and obey them one at a time. Following Ezekiel’s pattern turns a single verse into a lifelong rhythm: God initiates, we listen, we rise, we go, we behold His glory, and we keep walking in the Spirit’s power. |
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