Take Hold Of Me

The LORD took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the LORD to a valley filled with bones. He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out. Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?” “O Sovereign LORD,” I replied, “you alone know the answer to that.” [Ezekiel 37.1-3]

So, how about this passage from Ezekiel's prophecy? It is an amazing story that unfolds following this question and answer session with Ezekiel and God.

Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again! [Ezekiel 37.4-5]

The first thing to note is that Ezekiel was carried away by the Spirit of the LORD. For all the fantastic events that would follow, it all would not have been had Ezekiel not first been carried away by the Spirit of the LORD. 

How does being carried away by the Spirit of the LORD happen? Well, we have a clue in the very statement that precedes "carried away by the Spirit of the LORD." The Word says, The LORD took hold of me before it says Ezekiel was carried away. This is important!

For God to take hold of me, one must necessarily recognize it. Perhaps submitting to God is a key factor. But it seems that having relationship with God is the underlying foundation upon which this entire event takes place.

The fact that God took hold of Ezekiel makes clear that it is all God and none of man's doing when something great is about to happen; there is an obvious relationship that must be in place. This relationship is realized in Ezekiel (or any man) seeking and waiting for God.

How many times do modern God-seekers wish to have some assurance that they are doing the will of God? Knowing God is the only way to know one is doing God's will. Look at what Jesus said about this very subject:

So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. [John 5.19]

For the Spirit to take hold of a person, that person must be in some kind of proximity that beholds Him. Is that person looking to the Father? How would they know? Again, Jesus gives us a clear answer:

Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do. [John 14.11]

Jesus identified His work with God. What Jesus said to His disciples implied that they knew what the works of God were and therefore, should be able to rightly conclude that Jesus was doing those works! And, what were the works? In Jesus' own words (quoting Scripture):

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the LORD’s favor has come.” [Luke 4.18-19]

In other words, everything the Bible says Jesus did - preaching, teaching, healing, providing, and generally albeit miraculously bringing good to all He encountered, proved He was doing the works of God! Anyone who actually knew the God of the Scriptures should have easily recognized that.

If WE don't know and understand the works of God, how will we ever DO the works of God? 

We simply must know God. 

We come to know God through His Word (the Scriptures and Jesus) and in prayer. There is no other way. The combination of our attention to the Word of God and effort in prayer will put us in position to be taken hold of by God. What happens from there is repeatedly described in the Bible - and it is miraculous! It glorifies God.

Father, I want to know You more. Thank You for Your Word, Your Son, and Your Spirit to guide me into Your work on earth. May I be found doing Your work - glorifying You. Take hold of me and do what You will...