Pocket Thoughts - 1/30/26
God * will guide us always, satisfying our needs and strengthening us * wears righteousness as a breastplate * gives us His Spirit Who will not depart from us.
*****
Nothing Ezekiel had ever experienced could have prepared him for God’s miraculous unveiling of His plans for Israel. Every aspect of the vision God gave Ezekiel symbolized some aspect of God’s glory and power. The vision began with a mighty windstorm from the north. The storm blew in “an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light.” From the cloud came four “living creatures.” These creatures each had four faces, representing places of honor over their respective domains. A set of two intersecting wheels was underneath each creature. The rims of the wheels were covered with eyes, representing God’s all-seeing, all-knowing character. The four living creatures and the wheels created an oddly constructed chariot carrying none other than the Lord Himself. He was seated on a throne, and He was awesome to behold – appearing like glowing metal from the waist up and like fire from the waist down. A brilliant light surrounded Him, “like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day.” Ezekiel was compelled to fall facedown when he encountered the Lord in such a glorious revelation! One day, all will see God as Ezekiel did – holy, majestic, and powerful. Prepare your heart and your mind for that encounter. But most importantly, prepare your soul. One day, every knee will bow to Him – some in grateful worship and surrender, some as His conquered, soon-to-be vanquished enemies. Which will you be on that day? – TV
*****
Hundreds of years later, John experiences an encounter very similar to Ezekiel’s. He meets four living creatures in the throne room of God! Each creature has six wings and is literally covered with eyes all over its body. These eyes never stop reflecting and honoring God’s holy character, Who sees and know all things at all times. The four living creatures each have a different appearance. One has the appearance of a lion, representing God’s created wild animals; one an ox, representing domesticated animals; one an eagle, representing animals in the sky; and finally a man, representing all humanity. Day and night, these four living creatures continually worship God with this song: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come.” In these four living creatures, we see various aspects of God’s creation. Although each is unique, they are united in purpose. All who live in God’s presence have a continual song of praise on their lips, for although God is personally involved with all He’s made, He remains high and holy above it all. This reminds us of the enormous divide between our sinfulness and His purity and perfection. It also reminds us that through Jesus, the pure and perfect God-Man, that divide has been bridged. Let’s join with the four living creatures in praising our good God! He is worthy! – TV
*****
In Exodus 17, we meet Joshua for the first time. Moses has summoned him and told him to select a band of men from among these former slaves and prepare to fight against the raiding Amalekites. Joshua does as instructed, and the men he’s gathered soundly defeat the experienced warriors. At the end of the battle, God tells Moses to record this victory on a scroll of remembrance. This same Joshua would one day be handed the baton of leadership when Moses died. His training consisted of listening, obeying, and acknowledging that God was the source of his success. We all lead in some capacity. Joshua’s life lays out an excellent training model if we desire to honor the Lord in our leadership. Prioritize time with Him to be able to hear His “marching orders.” Dig into the Word, and sit in His presence. Ask God to give you a spirit of glad obedience, and act on what you learn. Then give praise where praise is due. “All that we have accomplished, (the Lord) has done for us.” (Isaiah 26:12b) – TV
*****
Lord God, You are high and holy, pure and perfect, awesome and glorious. “What is man, that You are mindful of him?” (Psalm 8:4) But God, You’re so much more than mindful of us. Scripture says that You delight in us and rejoice over us. Your Word says You love us and work all things together for our good. You knew the number of our days before even one of them came to be, and today – this very moment – You know the number of hairs on our heads. You’ve pursued our hearts with a relentless, sacrificial love. A place in Your heavenly Home is prepared and ready for those who’ve accepted Your gracious invitation to forgiveness through Your Son Jesus Christ. This is not the painting of a God in the distance. You are near, and You love us. May Your Holy Spirit stir a desire in all hearts to love You in return. In the beautiful Name of Jesus, amen.
*****
“Does God ask us to do what is beneath us? This question will never trouble us again if we consider the Lord of heaven taking a towel and washing feet.” – Elisabeth Elliot
*****
“Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to Me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty. Do not be like your forefathers, to whom the earlier prophets proclaimed: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Turn from your evil ways and your evil practices.’ But they would not listen or pay attention to Me, declares the Lord.” – Zechariah 1:3-4
