Ezekiel 1:3 – “the word of the Lord came expressly to Ezekiel the priest, son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and there the hand of the Lord came upon him.”

As I was reading, praying, and pondering the Word of God today, a statement in Ezekiel 1:3 captured my thoughts. “The Word of Yahweh came EXPRESSLY to Ezekiel.”

Expressly?  If we think of ‘express’ as fast, we miss the message.  The word (became his, and he owned it).  God specifically spoke to Ezekiel personally. God spoke a specific word to Ezekiel.  It became alive and moved him.

We need an ‘Express Word’ today.  We need it nationally. We need it locally.  But even more needful is personally.   We need an ‘Express Word’ during trials. We need an ‘Express Word’ in blessing.  We need a ‘Daily Word’ expressly spoken to our hearts.  A word that becomes alive and so personal that we own it.

We need James 1:19 to be the norm of our lives.   Tragically, too often, instead of being quick to hear God, we are quick to hear criticism and rumor.   Instead of being slow to speak, we spout off without having heard the conclusion of the whole matter.   Instead of being slow to anger, we allow hate, jealousy, envy, or a false righteousness to propel us into rage.

We are to be quick to hear God.  Slow to express our view, but rather gather the facts and God’s directive.  Slow to anger, and even when angry, do not let it linger.

James 5:13-16 provides guidance on body ministry.  James 5:19-20 reveals that restoration is always the objective, not exposure or judgment.  Love truly does cover a multitude of sins, and only those perfect (without sin) should throw stones of judgment, and if they do, they will no longer be without sin and disqualified to throw stones.

Let’s strive to be quick to hear from God, slow to speak, and slow to criticize and judge. Let us guard our hearts, words, and thoughts, focusing on God’s mercy, thus removing the fuel for contention and the oxygen for anger.

LORD, give us an Express Word today and every day!