Oct 15

The next step in Ezekiel's vision was for the Lord to command him to prophesy to the bones in the valley.

It was mentioned previously that though God has a plan for all of reality that has existed from all eternity (Acts 15:18), he has also allowed a place in that predetermined reality for the actions of human beings -- human beings to whom he has given the incredible gift of free will.

The question is not whether or not God's plan will come about, for it will, having come from the infinite God whose purposes cannot be thwarted. The question is whether or not the individual human being will use his or her free will to join with God in this great adventure, or will foolishly think he or she can somehow stop God's eternal plan from unfolding.

Ezekiel was a man with the same power of free will that we have. He had the choice to obey God's command to prophesy to an apparently hopeless situation of dry bones coming to life, or to choose to give up in lack of faith in God's power. His choice is stated simply in verse 7:"So I prophesied as I was commanded."

Obedience is such a simple thing -- but it brings about awesome changes in reality because that obedience opens up that reality to the eternal purposes of God and God then begins to show forth his power, not ours. Ours is simply to obey; his is the power.

Scripture for today: Ezekiel 37:1-8
Thought for today: Obedience leads to power.
Prayer for today: Lord, help me always to obey you, so that you can show your power in the lives of people that need your life-giving power.

OCT 15