And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire enfolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the color of amber, out of the midst of the fire. Ezekiel 1:4 KJV
Sitting by the River Chebar in the land of Babylon, as a captive, Ezekiel certainly could have felt far from God, and incapable of being blessed or used by Him. However, two things happened, the hand of the Lord was upon him there, and he saw visions of God. This first vision in chapter one is incredible. Please do not limit yourself to this devotional thought, read the whole chapter as it describes in detail a vision of God unique from any other in Scripture. As Ezekiel saw God in His glory, his immediate response was to fall upon his face. That is the only appropriate response. All of this happened when Ezekiel’s circumstances were at their worst. Never limit when and where God can work in your life.
Lord, when my circumstances are at their worst I do not even think to look for Your blessing, let alone Your presence. I tend to think You are near only when things are going well. Help me to look for You not just when things are good but also when they are not.
