I Will Open Your Lips
I will open your lips among them. Then they will know that I am the Lord. (Ezekiel 29:21)
Read: Ezek. 29:21; Lk. 21:12-19; I Cor. 1:4-9; II Cor. 8:7; Col. 4:3-4
What Is God Saying?
In this section of his prophecy, Ezekiel is declaring the judgment of God against evil plans and actions. Ezekiel had a challenging commission. He must set his face against Pharaoh, King of Egypt, and prophesy against him and all Egypt, ‘I will make a horn blow (horn symbolizes strength) for the house of Israel. Tell Egypt that for all their boasted strength, I will make the land a ruin and a desolate waste’ (29:9-12). Not easy, Ezekiel, but you must do it—then they will learn that I am the Lord.
How Does This Apply To Us?
Who needs to hear God’s words from us: to learn the truth of God's judgment; to gain strength in weariness; to find the way when lost; to know God cares and is able.
We speak so that others may know that God is the Lord and there is no other, so that others may know Him, whom to know is life eternal. Let us pray that God will ‘set a guard over our mouth and keep watch over the door of our lips’ (Ps. 141:3) that we may speak of love, not pride, of hope, not fear, and of conviction, not compromise. Lord, open our mouths for all the right reasons, but keep them closed for all the right reasons.
Pray With Me
Loving Lord, You have chosen to make yourself known to people through people. Open my lips so that I may speak of truth and power. Open my lips to lift the discouraged and cheer the sad. Open my lips that I may warn, awaken, and enlighten.
Sometimes, I complain when I should praise, do not speak the whole truth, speak out of pride, and retaliate. The evil one has opened my lips in all those ways and more. I know this, and I confess my weakness. Set a guard upon my lips.
Lord of my life, let me speak with courage, conviction, clarity, and love. Help me to be attentive to your every word. As a pebble can affect the whole surface of a pool, a single word may help someone know that You are the Lord.
For the sake of His glory, Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
We go to prayer and continue in prayer so that we may know when our lips should be open to be a blessing or closed for the same reason. The warning of James is to the point, ‘From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brethren, this ought not to be so’ (Jas. 3:10). Prayer helps us to see that this doesn't happen.
