Stone-Faced, Spirit-Filled
“But I will make you as unyielding and hardened as they are. I will make your forehead like the hardest stone, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people.””
God continues to equip and guide Ezekiel as he leads the people of Israel as their prophet. God gives Ezekiel a vision to eat the scroll, the words of God. It would be like honey, sweet tasting for the soul. Now that he is filled with God’s Word, he can speak those words to the people of Israel.
God reminds Ezekiel that he is a prophet to his own people, the Israelites. They are not a foreign people group with difficult languages and culture that he may not be accustomed to. No, it is the people of God that have hardened their hearts. They are not rebellious toward Ezekiel, they are rebellious towards God.
God then reminds Ezekiel that He would equip Ezekiel to develop a thick skin. He will make his forehead like the hardest stone. Therefore he doesn’t have to be afraid of the rebellious people, God will help Ezekiel be unyielding and hardened. Ezekiel is encouraged to not worry about the people’s response. He is commanded to simply preach God’s Word to the people with courage from the Lord.
Richard Wurmbrand was a Romanian pastor who lived during the rise of communism in Eastern Europe, especially his home country. The Communist regime promoted state theism which is essentially a state religion that promoted Atheism. No other religions were allowed to be practiced openly in the totalitarian government. Yet despite the regime’s attempt to control and silence the church, Pastor Wurmbrand boldly and courageously continued to preach the gospel.
Pastor Wurmbrand was arrested for several years and suffered torture through beatings and solitary confinement. The underground cell that he was in for 3 years was only twelve feet in size and had no lights or windows. No sounds were heard in the cells because the guards even wore felt on their sole. People would lose their minds being confined to these cells. He was beaten and tortured, scars that would be on his body for the rest of his life.
But how did Pastor Wurmbrand keep his sanity while held in solitary confinement. He would sleep during the day and stay awake at night developing sermons and commentaries by recalling his memory of Scripture and experience. Later he would use morse code to tap on the walls of the cell to teach the other prisoners. Many prisoners recounted how he was the light in the darkness for them, thus encouraging the other prisoners to hear the gospel and to have hope in Christ.
Wurmbrand was eventually released from prison and moved to the United States. He and his wife formed a non-profit organization to raise awareness and support for persecuted Christians which later became known as Voice of the Martyrs (VOM). Pastor Wurmbrand retired and lived in Palos Verdes, passing away on February 17, 2001 at the age of 91 in a hospital in Torrance, CA. He is regarded as a hero amongst Christians and amongst Romanians to this day.
Ezekiel was called to a mission to preach God’s word to people that he was familiar with and yet would still reject him. He carried God’s word in his heart and received courage from the Lord to be able to preach without hesitation. God would give him that strength and courage. And just like Ezekiel, Pastor Wurmbrand had the burden to preach God’s word continually despite persecution from the communist regime. He had the Word of God in his soul and was able to prepare and preach the sermons in his prison cell, through morse code. He received courage from the Lord to continue unyieldingly despite the rejection he has faced.
Sometimes, we are called to stand boldly for what we believe, to speak the truth in love, even when it’s hard. This isn’t an easy task. It may cost us relationships, bring rejection from those we love, or invite opposition from friends, family, or society. But in those moments, we must allow the Word of God to fill our hearts and souls, reminding us of the transformative power of the gospel.
That same gospel gives us the courage and boldness we need to speak God's truth to hearts that may be hardened. The Lord does not call us without also equipping us. He strengthens us to proclaim His Word and empowers us to endure whatever rejection or resistance may come.
This is the glorious truth we can cling to. That we do not stand alone. God is with us, His Spirit fills us, and His Word sustains us. So we do not fear speaking up, living faithfully, or sharing the gospel publicly. For the One who calls us is also the One who makes us able.
Someone once said, “God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called.” Let that truth sink in and let us boldly proclaim and live the gospel.
