Seeing God in the Challenges of Life

Seeing God in the Difficulties of Life

Ezekiel 1-5

“As the appearance of the rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the surrounding radiance.  Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.  And when I saw it, I fell on my face and heard a voice speaking.” (1:28).

                  Ezekiel was given a ministry that would cause the most stouthearted to faint.  Serving and walking with God is easy when it is convenient, stress-free, and rewarding.  But how about when it becomes difficult, costly, and discouraging?  When God appointed Ezekiel to be His prophet to the people, He warned Ezekiel that the people would completely reject his message. Instead of responding with repentance and revival, they would respond with indifference and hostility.  In such an environment, it is easy to understand why God commanded Ezekiel to remain faithful to his responsibility of proclaiming the message.  Yet that was not the end of Ezekiel’s misery.  Not only would they refuse to listen, but they would openly oppose and reject Ezekiel’s message, and they would cast him into prison because of his preaching.   But then we find the ultimate coup de grace.  Not only would he suffer at the hands of the people, but God would require him to lie on his side, bound by ropes for more than a year, only drinking water and barley cakes.  Ezekiel would suffer rejection in his ministry, and his life would be spent in misery as he fulfilled his responsibility of proclaiming God’s word.  

                  This confronts us with the question that not only confronted Ezekiel, but also confronts us as well: “How do we remain faithful in a ministry that brings only criticism, failure, and suffering?” How do we keep our hand to the plow when there is only anguish and hardship? It is easy to obey God and be faithful in serving when we gain recognition, rewards, and the praise of others.  But the real test is when we only receive criticism and rejection. How do we keep perspective when life and ministry are not enjoyable and easy?

                  To answer these questions, we need to begin where God started with Ezekiel.  It is not merely a coincidence that before calling Ezekiel to the difficult task set before him, God starts by giving Ezekiel an incomprehensible display of His glory and nature. Before God calls Ezekiel to the difficult task of preaching to a rebellious people, He gives Ezekiel a glimpse into his glory and power.  Ezekiel is transported into the throne room of heaven to see the radiance of God and his infinitely power and glory. 

                  When we are faced with difficult ministry or overwhelming circumstances, our greatest need is not a change in our circumstances, but a change in our perspective on God.  The challenges of life can easily become overwhelming when we have a small perspective of God.  What would sustain Ezekiel in his ministry was not the joys of success and popularity; it was his understand of the infinite power of God.  The more important lessons we learn in our study of Scripture are not the principles of how to be successful in life or ministry, but the incomprehensible power and glory of God, who calls us, sustains us, and empowers us to serve him.  When life starts to become overwhelming, go back to God’s word and be refreshed in the greatness and majesty of God; then the problems you face become minor and insignificant.  When life seems overwhelming, we do not need a change in circumstances; we need a change in perspective, one that sees the glory and infinite power of God at work in us and through us to accomplish His purpose.