Beech Tree News Network

When we read Ezekiel, God told him that by his actions, people would know there is a prophet in Israel (Ezek. 2:5). I find it interesting that God used a similar phrase in the book when referring to Himself. From Ezekiel 6 through Ezekiel 39, no less than 63 times, He told Ezekiel that the people would know He is the Lord.

How were the people to “know” He is the Lord? Reading all 63 instances where the phrase is found, we see that sometimes folks would know because of the punishment God brings. At other times, folks would know He is the Lord based on the blessing He brings. In other words, the people would know He is the Lord when they saw how He had fulfilled His word. God had not spoken “in vain” (Ezek. 6:10).

There are people today who deny God’s existence. They claim that since they have not seen, heard, felt, or in any way experienced God (the way one experiences life with the senses), it is impossible to know Him. What did God say was necessary to know He is the Lord? He did not tell Ezekiel it was based upon the people hearing His voice or touching Him, but it would result from what He did.

Jesus would say something similar when He told the Jews, “If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him” (Jn. 10:37-38). Just like the Father, Jesus said you can know who I am based on what I have done.

In like manner, if we want to know that God is alive and well, let us look at the evidence! Let us look at what He did! Look at what God has done in this universe (Ps. 19:1-6, 33:6-9). Look at what God has done for man (Gen. 1:26-28). Look at how much He loved mankind (Rom. 5:8; Jn. 3:16). Look at times we have been corrected (Heb. 12:5-15).

Yes, we see evidence of God even when corrected or punished for sins. This is what He told Ezekiel on many occasions. God’s correction lets us know He is Lord. From the days of Noah (Gen. 6-8; I Pet. 3:20; II Pet. 3:9) to the days when God punished nations (Oba.; Hab.; Matt. 24:1-35), and continuing to this good day, we see God’s hand in men’s matters.

We can know He is the Lord because of the promise of Messiah, to the fulfillment of that same promise! This is what the Bible focuses on from Genesis 3 to the end of the Bible. As we read Scripture, we read either of the promise that Messiah is coming (Gen.-Mal.), or that He is here in fulfillment of what God has said (Matt.-Jn.), or that God was faithful to His promise and Jesus has already been here and returned to His Father (Acts-Rev.). Yes, we can know God is Lord!

“Ye shall know that I am the Lord” when we open our eyes to see God’s work among men. Are you aware? Are you awake? Do you know the Lord? The evidence for Him is everywhere.

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167