October 25

“He said: ‘Son of man, this is the place of my throne…’” 

—EZEKIEL 43:7

Following the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem, the Ark of the Covenant where God had made His home was either stolen or destroyed, and has not been seen since. Fourteen years later, the prophet Ezekiel has a vision of a new temple that gives us significant information about God’s intention for His new home.

After Ezekiel goes through the outer courts and rooms, he says, “Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple” (Ezekiel 43:5). A voice explains to Ezekiel why the temple radiates the glory of God. “Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place for the soles of my feet.” The display of the glory of God, which is His moral character, is a direct consequence of conditions that enable His glory to be seen.

God states, “This is the place of my throne.” In other words, “This is where I am in charge and exercise my sovereignty and rule.” There will be no demonstration of the glory of God without submission to the government of God. Submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in the heart of the Christian is the fundamental disposition from which everything else derives, for it is in the heart of the Christian God makes His home. Romans 14:9 says, “Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.” We must see Christ not only as Saviour and Redeemer, but as Lord and Master. These are His terms and they are non negotiable.

One of the simplest ways to trace the cause of spiritual breakdown is to go back to the breakdown in obedience. There is a danger in the church to look for psychological and emotional causes to spiritual barrenness rather than volitional ones. We sometimes see ourselves as victims rather than perpetrators. We are offended rather than guilty, and look for causes outside of ourselves instead of acknowledging personal responsibility. There may be factors we are not to blame for that have a direct bearing upon our attitudes and behaviours for which we may need help, but consistently in Scripture God holds people responsible for themselves.

We cannot bring legal counsel to the judgment seat of God. Our only mediator is Jesus Christ and He is totally capable of handling our lives and creating in us a godliness that has no other explanation than the miracle of His working. But it must begin in humble submission to His throne.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, help me to live in submission to You and to be accountable for acts of disobedience, which I ask your forgiveness for. Thank You, Lord.

TO REFLECT UPON: Does Christ occupy the throne of my life?