In Psalm 119:153-160, the Psalmist continues to extol the LORD for His provision of deliverance and salvation, His redemption, His compassion, His truth, and righteousness, and above all – for His Word. These gracious provisions are made available to us through the expressions of God’s law, promises, decrees, statutes, words, and precepts. The Psalmist writes, “I have not forgotten Your law, and I have not turned from Your statutes” (verses 153 and 157). Three times, the Psalmist repeats “Preserve my life” (verses 154, 156, and 159) - “according to Your [God’s] promises, laws, and love” (also verses 154, 156, and 159). The Psalmist points out that “the wicked do not seek out God’s decrees” (verse 155), nor “do they obey His Word” (verse 158). This section of the Psalms shows us a great contrast about all of life. It begins with God’s transcendent attributes – He is a holy God Who is wholly above, far away, and completely different from His creation. But the Psalm also reveals His imminent characteristics; He is also a God Who is compassionate (verse 156), loving (verse 159), and true, righteous, and eternal (verse 160). Moreover, God is near us, with us, and in us, and He is a God Who lives, cares, and intercedes for His creatures. He meets our needs. What other god can possess such characteristics or meet our needs?
Today we are introduced to Ezekiel and in chapters 1-3, we observe Ezekiel’s magnificent call by God from His awesome throne - the description of which is beyond any imagination. Ezekiel has a difficult task - to minister to the stubborn and rebellious exiles in Babylon. In verses 4-28, we see that Ezekiel has a vision of God’s glory. He writes, “I looked and saw a windstorm coming out of the north … and four living creatures … like a man … with faces and wings like a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle” (verses 4-10). From the heavenly realm, these are real creatures – probably cherubim – who have the responsibility to guard the holiness of God (cf., Genesis 3:24). Ezekiel also describes “wheels on the ground beside each creature;” they “move in any direction,” and “they are full of eyes” (verses 15-18) – indicating that they have total access to their proximity and a complete range of perceptibility. Within this scene, Ezekiel says that he saw “a figure like that of a man who appeared high above and sitting on a throne” (verses 25-27). “When I saw it, I fell face down, and I heard the voice of one speaking” (verse 28). In chapter 2, God calls Ezekiel into ministry. In chapter 3, Ezekiel is commanded to eat the scroll – a symbol for the Word of God – which is our spiritual food. God tells him to “go to his countrymen and to warn them of judgment, for they are a rebellious house” (verse 27).
Hebrews 4:14-5:10 addresses our great High Priest – Jesus. Through Him, we are enjoined to approach God’s throne (of which much is described in today’s readings) with boldness and confidence. The writer of the book of Hebrews includes at least twelve “Let us …” statements throughout the book. In chapter 4, we see the first four “Let us …” statements: [1] “Let us be careful …” (verse 1); and [2] “Let us make every effort to enter that rest” (verse 11). Two more statements appear in today’s reading and are relevant to Christ as our High Priest: [3] “Let us hold firmly to the faith we profess” (verse 14); and [4] “Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (verse 4:16). We need mercy and grace. In chapter 5, we read that Christ “was designated by God to be High Priest in the order of Melchizedek” (verse 10), which is better (i.e., far superior and much more effective) than any Aaronic priest because Christ serves without sin, yet He identifies with all our infirmities. He meets our needs.
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