“And He said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee. And the Spirit entered into me when He spake unto me…” Ezekiel 2:1,2
When the Lord Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Spirit of God, after His baptism, the enemy of our souls came to him to tempt Him, seeking to bring Him under his control. In answer to Satan’s words, Jesus said: “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matt. 4:4) Why did Jesus answer in this manner, specifically addressing the issue of the “word” of God?
In the realm of the Spirit of God, there exists several primary principles by which the believer must live, if he is to honor and glorify God, and also, overcome the enemy. The first of these principles is that of “faith,” faith in the faithfulness of God. Why is this principle so important, and effective, in bringing the power of God to bear upon any circumstance? It is because God has provided the believer this means by which, though he still be a sinner yet saved, he can receive that which is of God, to be known, and revealed in and through the heart and life. Faith is that God-given capacity, received by the manifest grace of God, whereby one approaches God, certain to be accepted by Him because of Christ, and His shed blood. It is that gift of strength which God gives in response to the vision of Himself, the revelation of in His greatness and glory. It is that attitude of trust, and surrender, whereby the very strength of Christ is communicated to the soul. This act and attitude of receiving from God all that He desires to give and receiving all in order to give back that received in thanksgiving and praise, and in service to the King, is the faith that God gives, for His glory, and for the blessing of the believer.
The second principle is that of knowing and adhering to the will and purpose of God, and this according to the word of God. God’s words are the very foundation for faith to rely upon, and obey. They are given and revealed to men so that believing, and obeying them, the believer can appropriate all that is in Christ for the fulfilling of the will of God. Associated with God’s words, the expression of His will, is the element of spiritual authority and power. Power is given to the believer for every need in life, according to Christ’s words. Why is this so? Because there is no difference between the truth that is in the person of Christ, his nature and character, and His spoken word. Christ’s words are by His own declaration, “Spirit and truth.” He Himself is filled constantly with the Spirit, the very essence of truth and righteousness. Why then would Satan seek to tempt Christ to disobey the Father? Submission to the authority of God, according to the word of God, is the key to knowing the authority of Christ in the life, and victory over sin, Satan, and the world. The Apostle James brings this out in his epistle when he says, “…God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and He will flee from you.” (4:6,7) It was as Jesus remained under the authority of His Father, in submission to His will by obeying His word, that the spiritual authority of God was given Him. He overcomes Satan’s temptation to disobey by the power of the Eternal Spirit given to Him, as He remains surrendered to the Father, and responsive to His word.
When Ezekiel was commanded by God to “stand” on his feet, it was in order to call Ezekiel to attention, that he might hear the specific word of God to his heart. It was then that Ezekiel in faith, heard the voice of God, receiving from Him the commission to speak to Israel.
Dear Father, Give us attentive faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.