I will tie you up with ropes so that you cannot turn from one side to the other until you have finished the days of your siege. Ezekiel 4:8
Passages like this, where God has Ezekiel dramatically act out a prophetic message, are hard to understand if we take them completely literally. How could God tie Ezekiel with real ropes? Rather God is explaining to Ezekiel how he will enable him to lie still for a long time. During this time, Ezekiel will feel like he is bound by ropes. Yet, he will be able to bake and eat bread so he won’t be lying on his side every minute of each day (verses 9-12).
God’s enabling power is more comprehensive than we realise. Sometimes we think God only enables us to do things that are obviously beyond our ability. We don’t think about God enabling us to be inactive or to carry out the normal functions of daily life. Yet every day we’re called to be his witnesses, to persevere, and to produce spiritual fruit. These are areas where we need God’s help and he is willing to empower us. Yet we may be reluctant to access his support, thinking we can handle the minor inconveniences of life, however, God is always willing to empower and enable us.
God made it possible for Ezekiel to perform this dramatization for a long time, even though he must have found it monotonous and seemingly ineffective. There’s no record of people repenting or seeking God as a result of his efforts. Nevertheless, Ezekiel trusted God and completed the task.
Likewise, God will enable us to persevere in difficult circumstances, in boring situations, in isolating conditions and when we feel ineffective.
Today, let’s ask him for his sustaining power.
