Ezekiel 12:1-2 “1 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 ‘Son of man, you live in the midst of the rebellious house, who have eyes to see but do not see, ears to hear but do not hear; for they are a rebellious house.’”

JUST BE FAITHFUL

Ezekiel had a tough job.  He was living in the midst of a rebellious, stubborn people whom God described as blind and deaf.  They seemingly couldn’t see or hear what He was doing in their midst.  I am sure Ezekiel thought, “God, why even bother?  They don’t care.”

We are living in the same kind of generation.  All around us people are thumbing their nose at God.  They could care less about knowing Jesus.  They certainly don’t want to follow Him and live for Him.  Sometimes it gets very discouraging, doesn’t it?  And this is the kind of generation you are bringing up your children.  Don’t you want to cry out to God to deliver you?

TEACHING MOMENT

But no!  Ezekiel was faithful to do exactly what the Lord told Him to do.  Now, I don’t suggest you dig a hole through a wall and crawl through it (read the rest of chapter 12).  But I do suggest that you present a clear case to your neighbors for Christ.  How?  By being that neighbor who does NOT complain.  Be the neighbor who cares as much about their yard as you do yours.  Let your children see and even help you to do something nice for your neighbor.

Give your neighbor a message of hope, love, peace and grace.  Show them Jesus.  I promise if you do that your children will observe it and want to model it with their friends.  I’ve said before that most lessons we teach our kids are caught and not taught.  This is one of them.  Follow exactly the message the Lord gives you.  He will show you how to minister and witness to those around you if you will just listen.

Father, show me how to reach my lost neighbors.  Give me the words to say and the perfect time to say them.  Soften their heart to hear.  Open their eyes to see.