Passage Read: Lamentations 5 - Ezekiel 3
Meditation Verses: Ezekiel 3:5-7
Thought
Ezekiel wasn't sent to the Babylonians, among whom he was exiled, but to his own people, with whom he was exiled. He didn't have to learn a foreign language or compete with a foreign culture or religion. He was sent to people "who should listen to you," to his own people, to people who should believe in the Lord. His task should have been easy, but he was promised that no one would listen to him, because they didn't listen to God. Jesus would say the same thing centuries later to His disciples, "If they listen to Me, they will listen to you." Like Jeremiah, like Isaiah, so Ezekiel would be commissioned to a fruitless work. How discouraging! But he wasn't commissioned by the people to work for them, but by God to work for Him. The people might be the audience, but they weren't the employer.
Application
A real disciple listens to the Lord and His messengers. If I don't obey God's Word, then even though someone comes in His power and commission to speak His will, I will not listen to him. I may be convinced that he's speaking good stuff, so I'll go to feel good about myself and my choice, but if I don't do what he teaches, I'm only deceiving myself. But if I submit myself to God and His Word, then I'll be able to discern those who truly teach His Word and I'll accept their encouragement. By the same token, if I truthfully speak the words of God, I shouldn't be impressed by the number who listen, but be grateful for the number who obey. If few or none obey, nether should I be discouraged. If they don't listen to me, they aren't willing to listen Jesus either. The true measure of a fruitful ministry is changed lives, not numbers in attendance. But the true measure of a faithful ministry isn't numbers or changed lives, but diligence to speak the words of God. If I chase numbers, I'll be tempted to soften the Word of God. If I chase changed lives, I may be easily discouraged. The only right thing to pursue is being a faithful and mature disciple of Jesus Christ, ever growing in my understanding and practice of His Word and will and ways.