“Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the River Chebar, that the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. 2 On the fifth day of the month, which was in the fifth year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity, 3 the word of the Lord came expressly to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the River Chebar; and the hand of the Lord was upon him there. 4 Then I looked, and behold, a whirlwind was coming out of the north, a great cloud with raging fire engulfing itself; and brightness was all around it and radiating out of its midst like the color of amber, out of the midst of the fire.” Ezekiel 1:1-4
“And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it. 27 Also from the appearance of His waist and upward I saw, as it were, the color of amber with the appearance of fire all around within it; and from the appearance of His waist and downward I saw, as it were, the appearance of fire with brightness all around. 28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. So when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of One speaking.” Ezekiel 1:26-28 NKJV
God of fire and brightness,
What an introduction to Ezekiel and what a revelation of Yourself God. The description of the wheels within wheels and the angels with four faces (v4-25). I could spent hours just considering the wonder of it all and trying to picture it all. And we see Your unimaginable magnificence through Ezekiel’s eyes.
And He falls on his face – and then You speak! It seems to me that sometimes I need to position myself so I remember who I am in Your sight. Insignificant and yet like Ezekiel discovering You are a God who speaks. And the greatest thing You ever said? Was it Jesus?
I have only ever seen a rainbow in the middle of a cloud once and it was amazing. Science tells me it is light refracting off water droplets. Jesus is both the Light of the World (John 8:12) and the Water of Life (John 7:37-38). So how could Your presence not have the appearance of rainbow? You created what we call science . . .
I cannot fully imagine what Ezekiel tried to explain he saw. And no-one has even been able to draw it . . . help us to look to You and see the wonder of Your glory. and the glory of our Saviour. Your Spirit moving where He will, raising us up and enabling us to hear You. And we can be lost in wonder love and praise.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Thursday 28th August 2025
Had to go to a beloved traditional hymn . . . hang on in the musical introduction and build up . . .
Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of Heav’n to Earth come down,
Fix in us Your humble dwelling,
All thy faithful mercies crown;
Jesus, You art all compassion,
Boundless love that makes us whole
Visit us with Your salvation,
Enter ev’ry trembling heart.
Come, Almighty to deliver;
Let us all Your grace receive;
Suddenly return, and never,
Never more Thy temples leave.
You we would be always blessing,
Serve You as Your host above,
Pray, and praise You without ceasing,
Glory in Your perfect love.
Finish, then, Your new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be;
Let us see Your great salvation
Perfect in eternity;
Changed from glory into glory
Till in Heav’n we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before You,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise!
Lyrics: Charles Wesley