Corona Devo 1853

“Son of man, do not fear them or their words. Don’t be afraid even though their threats surround you like nettles and briers and stinging scorpions."  ~Ezekiel 2:6

~~~

A friend of mine who teaches in a public school district recently told me (heavily) that she 'walks into enemy territory every day'. 

"They don't believe what I believe, and they don't hide it", she said with a deflated spirit.

I could see in her eyes that their words pierce her heart like nettles and briers and (even) stinging scorpions.

But perhaps we know those pinches and pricks as well: Ever post a Bible verse online that contradicts doing "whatever your flesh feels like"?  Or have we ever taken a stand for the Truth of the Bible in a world and a culture that has created its own truth?

There is backlash when we speak Bible. 

Oh yes.  There will be threats, nettles, briers and stinging scorpions from people who are stubborn and hard-hearted toward God (and us).  

And what else?  The Bible says that there will be dark scowls from people.  

Do not be dismayed by their dark scowls, even though they are rebels.  ~Ezekiel 2:6 

This (dark scowling) is hard to picture isn't it?  ...Until it occurs.

My husband stepped into the line at the post office the other day and the man in front of him in line looked right at him and then released a dark scowl.  My husband said it actually sounded like the man barked at him.  And then this man (who my husband had never seen or met before) scowled at him to stand somewhere else in line. 

Who can explain the "why" (or audacity) of that?  Not me, but (after hearing this story), I knew exactly what this verse meant when I read it.

Do not be dismayed by their dark scowls, even though they are rebels.  ~Ezekiel 2:6 

I guess I can't verify that the man in line in front of my husband at the post office was a rebel, but Jesus never gave people dark scowls, and so neither should His followers.  With this (spiritual) math, I can conclude that if that guy loved Jesus, it does not "fit" for him to be barking, scowling, and yelling at someone to move. 

What was it about my husband that incited the guy?  

I couldn't say, but (again): The bible does: 

“Son of man, do not fear them or their words. Don’t be afraid even though their threats surround you like nettles and briers and stinging scorpions. Do not be dismayed by their dark scowls, even though they are rebels. 

(7) You must give them my messages whether they listen or not. But they won’t listen, for they are completely rebellious!  ~Ezekiel 2:6-7

Yes, there are rebels. 
Yes, they are rebels.  
They will stand in our way.  They will threaten us.  Their words will hurt and sting like nettles, briers and stinging scorpions.  

Ever been on a hike or bike ride and been brushed by (stinging) nettle in the woods or along a path?  Ouch.  The Bible is over 2,000 years old, but it still speaks timeless truths in so many areas, including nature.  Nettles sting.  

Words and attitudes and threats can too.  God knows that.  He knows our hearts in serving Him and also the rebels that we encounter at school, at work, online, and in line at the post office.

And that is why God gives us His Word.  The Bible already told us in today's verses that there will be threats, nettles, briers, stinging scorpions and dark scowls.  The Lord knows that these things and people might scare us,/deflate us/intimidate us...

But in His Word, God acknowledges them and their futility, and God encourages us to keep-on keeping-on for Him today:

“Son of man, do not fear them or their words. Don’t be afraid even though their threats surround you like nettles and briers and stinging scorpions. Do not be dismayed by their dark scowls, even though they are rebels. 

(7) You must give them my messages whether they listen or not. But they won’t listen, for they are completely rebellious!  ~Ezekiel 2:6-7

Don't be intimidated by the scowls of rebels today. In Christ (and with Christ), we have victory over them. 

Stay in God's Word today.  It gives us strength for the day and encouragement for the scowls.  We are absolutely walking into enemy territory today and everyday.  The threats, nettles, briers, stinging scorpions and dark scowls will come from the world's rebels, but...God has sent us to them.

They are a stubborn and hard-hearted people. But I am sending you to say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says!’ 

(5) And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for remember, they are rebels—at least they will know they have had a prophet among them.  

(6) “Son of man, do not fear them or their words. Don’t be afraid even though their threats surround you like nettles and briers and stinging scorpions. Do not be dismayed by their dark scowls, even though they are rebels. 

(7) You must give them my messages whether they listen or not...  ~Ezekiel 2:4-7

Blessings,  

sarah  

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com 

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