the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Our Daily Homily - Volume 3
Ezekiel 4:14—Then said I, Ah, Lord God!
The prophet was bidden, in a series of striking and significant actions, to show the people the impending fate of their nation and city. Amongst other injunctions there was one so abhorrent to his soul that he craved its mitigation. "Ah, Lord God!" he said, "spare me from this." And God was entreated, and reduced the pressure of the burden proposed to be laid on his servant.
May not the counterpart of this happen in our own experience? We may be feeling that certain trials are insupportable, or certain demands beyond our power to meet. At such hours of bitter anguish it is quite permissible for us to go into the secret place of the Most High and gasp out our complaint, saying, "Ah, Lord God!" God invites us to speak freely with Him thus, and sends gracious mitigations of our griefs. "Ah, Lord God," we say, "let this cup pass from me": and, lo! an angel is sent to strengthen us. "Ah, Lord God," we cry, "this cross is too heavy; this thorn in the flesh too sharp; this diet too nauseous:" and immediately there is some response of greater grace or lightened burden.
Oh, suffering child of God, get alone with Him, and talk freely. Do not hesitate to tell Him all that is in thine heart. Remember that Jesus said that the Father Himself loves us. We may go to that Father-heart, confiding to it how much we are suffering, not for ourselves only, but for their sakes who are dearer to us than life. Oh that they were happy, satisfied, safe! Has the duty become lately more than ever difficult? Has the smart become like a cancer with its venom? Take it to God! It is a sublime moment when the soul dares to plead its cause with God, saying, "Ah, Lord God!"
