Bring the Baggage and Burdens

O. T. #1878  "Bring the Baggage and Burdens"

Feb. 10, 2021

Ezekiel 12-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

We can always use some encouragement, right? Even if your path is smooth now, there may be a mountain around the next bend. We must be prepared for it.

Have you considered God's Book as a storehouse of promises? Some promises were uniquely historical, while others are conditional (we must do our part first). Yet, other promises are still ours to count on. Are we standing on the promises of God today or are we outside the premises? [Resource: Day by Day With Charles Swindoll]

Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord... is the Rock eternal. (Isaiah 26:4)

Are you worrying and anxious today? There is never a crisis so troubling that God cannot bring peace in the midst of it. Nothing is too difficult, too troubling, or too fearful for our God. Nothing!

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6)

So we are told to pray, submit to God's will, give thanks for our mountain, and make our requests. Then the peace of God will guard our heart and mind through Christ Jesus. (90% of our fears do not happen)

Swindoll gives us a formula for this:

Absence of worry + Prevalence of prayer + Spirit of gratitude = Peace of God

Friend, let's you and me keep walking by faith. After all, Gray hair is a crown of splendor. (Prov.16:31) It will all work out in God's timing and His way, so don't worry about it. Let God carry it. (That's what I am telling myself.)

Efficiency is enhanced not by what we accomplish but by what we relinquish. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. (Exodus 18:22)

 

LET IT GROW

Getting back to our chapter, we last learned that Israel was a rebellious house (bitter). Now Ezekiel is given two tasks as sign of actions to deliver God's message:

• Ezekiel was to live among the rebels who had eyes but refused to see, and ears but refused to hear. (verse 1)
• He was to pack his bags, bring the baggage, and go into exile as his fellow exiles in Babylon watched. (verse 3)
• He was to do this twice, once in the daytime, only the second time at night by digging through the wall and taking the bags out through it. Those were items that an exile could carry as they left home to go somewhere else. (verse 4-5)
• As they watched, Ezekiel lifted his pack upon his shoulders and walked away into the night. He covered his face so he could not see the land he was leaving. (verse 6)
• The second tine he was to cover his face to symbolize that those going into exile would never see the land of Israel again. (verses 4-6)
• Ezekiel obeyed. (verse 7)

What was the meaning of this? Those actions contained a message for King Zedekiah in Jerusalem and for all the people of Israel. It would soon happen to them, for they would be driven into exile as captives. Zedekiah left the city at night through a hole in the wall, taking only what he could carry with him. He was captured and carried into Babylon. He saw his son killed, then the king's eyes were blinded, so he never saw Babylon and died there, never returning to the land of Israel. His servants and warriors were scattered, but a few were spared from death by war, famine, or disease. This happened so they could confess all their detestable sins to their captors, and they would know God is the LORD. (verses 12-20)

Folks, are we carrying unnecessary baggage in our life? That can include: worry, anxiety, lack of peace, financial burdens, busyness, lack of compassion, etc. If so, then we need to give them to Jesus. His yoke is light. Pray, give thanks. Trust Jesus to work things out, then watch Him do it. Give Him the glory. 

 

LET IT GO

Help us shake off these heavy chains, for Your are our Redeemer, Jesus.

You're an overcomer; stay in the fight until the final round. You're not going under, because God is holding you right now. You're an overcomer. Don't quit, don't give in. You're an overcomer!

God, Your are victorious, so we give You the glory.