PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Ezekiel 31-32
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“All the birds of the sky nested in its boughs, all the great nations lived in its shade.” (Ezekiel 31:6)
Jesus talks about the mustard seed that grows into a huge tree giving shade to the birds.
“The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.” (Mark 4:31-32)
Ezekiel uses the same picture for Egypt, but its shade is not a positive shade.
Egypt was a great nation in its time, but it used its greatness to hurt others.
Jesus is great in a different way, not great in power but great in humility.
He does not rule like the leaders of the world, but he is a servant (Matthew 20:25-28).
Any person, leader or nation that wants to be “great” needs to look at Jesus.
Jesus is the mustard seed – weak, tiny, small – yet brings good shade to the world.
He establishes a good kingdom, a rule that does not oppress but serves and heals.
What kingdom do I reflect; do I cast a shadow of blessing or a shadow of harm?
Are people near me impacted by the humility and grace of Jesus showing through me?
Or do people experience me like Egypt, casting a dark shadow of gloom and heaviness?
PRAYER
Lord, make me small and significant like you, like the mustard seed. May people who come near me be blessed and not burdened by the shadow I cast.
“They will shatter the pride of Egypt,.. then they will know that I am the Lord.” Who are we that we might think we are somebody!? We are somebody only when we realize who we are – that we are nobody on our own. If I think I am somebody on my own accord – my pride is my folly. I am only somebody when I seek to walk with the Lord – He makes me someone that is useful for His Kingdom. Lord help me to serve – I want to be somebody by you. Humble my ego and will that it may more faithfully submit to yours – keep me on the narrow path. HS work within me – keep me humble help me not to be teased by accomplishment or pride! I know that will bring me down and lead to dissatisfaction!
This is what the Lord says.
Do I hear His voice? Do I live as His voice tells me?
The nations still rage today listening to the beat of their own heart and not the One Who makes the heart beat. In the happenings today do I see how the Lord is speaking to His people to return to Him and live daily in His presence according to what He says? Help me daily Lord to spread Your love to the ones I meet and greet each day.
1 Lord, speak to me that I may speak
In living echoes of your tone.
As you have sought, so let me seek
Your erring children, lost and lone.
2 Oh, lead me, Lord, that I may lead
The wand’ring and the wav’ring feet.
Oh, feed me, Lord, that I may feed
Your hungry ones with manna sweet.
3 Oh, teach me, Lord, that I may teach
The precious truths which you impart.
And wing my words that they may reach
The hidden depths of many a heart.