They sat in front of me waiting for an answer
On August 14, during the seventh year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity, some of the leaders of Israel came to request a message from the LORD. They sat down in front of me to wait for his reply. Ezekiel 20:1 NLT
What a great responsibility we have, those of us to whom God has entrusted some kind of leadership, whether as pastors in the church, as parents in the home, or as figures of influence in society. In this passage, we see how the leaders of the people came to the prophet seeking divine direction, hoping to receive from him a clear word from God that would illuminate their situation. The people around us constantly face crises and difficult decisions, and many times they approach us, “sitting in front of us,” hoping to hear wise counsel and a message that comes directly from the heart of the Lord.
- The great responsibility of the leader As leaders, husbands, parents, or mentors, people come to us hoping that we will provide them with answers to their problems and life situations. We cannot take this position lightly, as we are expected to offer direction that is wise, mature, and above all, founded on the divine will.
- The need to seek God first In order to offer truly wise and useful advice, it is essential to spend time alone before God. If the people around us expect an answer from the Lord through our words, we must have first received it from Him in intimacy.
- Develop a daily discipline We need to establish the unwavering habit of having a daily appointment with God, seeking a time of quietness and silence before immersing ourselves in the noise and demands of each day. Only in the stillness of His presence can we tune our spiritual ear to receive His message.
- Consult God in every decision Our attitude throughout the entire day should be one of continually asking the Lord what the right decision is that we must make in every moment. We depend on Him speaking to us clearly and precisely, just as He did with Ezekiel, in order to guide others with certainty.
When people sit in front of us waiting to receive encouragement, direction, and wisdom, we must be spiritually prepared. By setting ourselves apart to be with God intentionally, our own heart is ministered to and we are empowered to transmit His message of life. The guidance we provide to our family, our disciples, or our community will be a direct reflection of the time we invest in the presence of our Lord, listening to His voice so that we can then speak with His authority and compassion.
On August 14, during the seventh year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity, some of the leaders of Israel came to request a message from the LORD. They sat down in front of me to wait for his reply. Ezekiel 20:1 NLT
Think About It:
- Are you dedicating a daily time of quietness and silence to listen to God’s voice before attempting to advise others?
- In what practical way can you improve your willingness to seek divine direction amidst the busyness and noise of your daily routine?
- Identify someone in your close environment who needs guidance today and pray intentionally for God to give you the right words to guide them.