Nothing but the Truth
Today’s Verse:
And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel. ~Ezekiel 40:4
In a court of law, a witness is someone who testifies of what he saw or heard. This is important in verifying legal matters. The word of a witness can prove that something is true or false. Before giving his testimony, he is asked to solemnly testify to tell the truth and nothing but the truth. Ezekiel was taken to a high mountain and told to declare all that he saw and heard about the future temple in Jerusalem. His witness stood firm because of the accuracy and veracity of what he saw and heard.
We see the comprehension.
“Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears." A true witness tells what he has seen and heard. A witness is not based on conjecture or hearsay. It is personal in nature. It is based on firsthand examination or observation. It is an accurate description of the things seen and heard. A credible witness professes a testimony that is truthful and unchangeable. As a true witness of the gospel, we must give the earnest heed to the Old Testament prophecies and New Testament record of the suffering, shed blood, death, and resurrection of our Lord. We must fully comprehend what we see (the reading of the Scriptures) and what we hear (the preaching of God’s Word). It is truth and nothing but the truth.
We see the capacity.
“...And set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee." The prophet Jeremiah wrote, “Mine eye affecteth mine heart.” In other words, what we see affects us. It moves and inspires us. The Lord told Ezekiel that he must have an enlarged capacity to receive what he would see and hear. We must be passionate about what the Lord has shown us. When I set my heart upon something, it takes hold of me and moves me. It inspires and motivates me. It moves me to action. We must be personal about what the Lord has shown us. We must receive it personally, and we must take it personally. What Jesus did for us on the cross should stir us with compassion for the lost and a burden to tell others what He has done.
We see the confession.
“Declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel.” Ezekiel watched and listened carefully about the future temple. What is recorded in Ezekiel 40-48 is a beautiful and comprehensive account. “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God” (1 John 4:15). First, our testimony is about our faith in Christ: that is, we believe in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. Second, our testimony is about our fellowship in Christ: that He lives within us, and because He lives, we live also. Our witness should be active, afire, and authentic. Peter said, “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
We see the capability.
Being a witness requires courage. Most of us tend to be shy and timid. Ezekiel said, “In the selfsame day the hand of the LORD was upon me, and brought me thither.” God does not leave us helplessly to ourselves. The hand of God signifies His power and approval upon us. We are commissioned to be witnesses of the gospel. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation. God is able to keep that which we have committed unto Him against that day. The hand of the Lord is on us when we humble ourselves to Him and allow Him to use us as His witnesses. It feels daunting and intimidating to be a witness. However, with the commission that we are given, there is God’s capability. Tell the truth and nothing but the truth!
Have a courageous God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Revelation 9-12