METHODIST DAILY REFLECTION FOR TODAY FRIDAY, 4TH SEPTEMBER 2026 - LISTENING TO GOD'S WORD
DATE: FRIDAY, 4TH SEPTEMBER 2026
THEME: LISTENING TO GOD'S WORD
PASSAGE: EZEKIEL 12:21-28
21 And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
22 Son of man, what is that proverb that ye have in the land of Israel, saying, The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth?
23 Tell them therefore, Thus saith the Lord God; I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel; but say unto them, The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision.
24 For there shall be no more any vain vision nor flattering divination within the house of Israel.
25 For I am the Lord: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord God.
26 Again the word of the Lord came to me, saying.
27 Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, The vision that he seeth is for many days to come, and he prophesieth of the times that are far off.
28 Therefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; There shall none of my words be prolonged any more, but the word which I have spoken shall be done, saith the Lord God.
MESSAGE:
In our passage today, God refutes two popular sayings of the Israelites in Prophet Ezekiel's day. They are that: Prophecies of doom would never come. This itself is wishful thinking. They believe that the prophecy of doom will happen in distant future! This like the first, was countered by God.
The passage addresses Israelites' false security, their belief that God's prophecies would not be fulfilled as soon as expected. The Lord rebukes their proverb that everything would continue as before and reassures them that His words will not be delayed but will be swiftly and surely executed. The message is a warning against complacency.
One would have thought that if the glorious Lord condescended to send His servants to speak to men about salvation, all mankind would delight to hear the message. We would naturally conclude that the people would immediately run together in eager crowds to catch every word and at once be obedient to the heavenly command.
People display great ingenuity in making excuses for rejecting the message of God's love; they display marvelous skills in not seeking salvation but in fashioning reasons for refusing it. They are dexterous in avoiding divine grace, thereby securing their own ruin.
As it was in Ezekiel's day, so it is today. People do not want to listen to God's messages anymore because of false prophets who say what God did not say because of money
The summary of today's passage is to avoid complacency; trust in God's timing, knowing that His promises will surely come to pass as expected.
MEMORY VERSE:
"For there shall be no more any vain vision nor flattering divination within the house of Israel." Ezekiel 12:24
HYMN: MHB 308 (6.6.6.6.) LORD, Thy word abideth
1. LORD, Thy word abideth,
And our footsteps guideth :
Who its truth belIeveth
Light and Joy recelveth.
2. When our foes are near us,
Then Thy word doth cheer us,
Word of consolation,
Message of salvation.
3. When the storms are o'er us,
And dark clouds before us,
Then its light dlrecteth,
And our way protecteth.
4. Who can tell the pleasure,
Who recount the treasure,
By Thy word Imparted
To the simple-hearted?
5. Word of mercy, giving
Succour to the living;
Word of life, supplying
Comfort to the dying!
6. O that we, discerning
Its most holy learning,
Lord, may love and fear Thee,
Evermore be near Thee
Amen.
PRAYER
Give us listening ears, O God, to hear and believe Your Word. Do not allow us to be deceived by fake prophets anymore in Jesus' Name. Amen.
READ:
DAY: Ezekiel 1-2
NIGHT: Ezekiel 3-4