The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Ezekiel 43:2-3, “…behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the way of the east. And His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shone with His glory.
3 And it was like the appearance of the vision which I saw, like the vision which I saw when He came to destroy the city. And the visions were like the vision which I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell on my face.”

The theme of the Book of Ezekiel is “The goodness and severity of God.” In these two verses we have an example of both. It’s also interesting to notice that the glory of God that Ezekiel saw came from the east. The word “east” is mentioned 23 times in all of Scripture, while the word “west” is mentioned but 10 times. More interesting still is the fact that when “east” and “west” are both contained in the same sentence, “east” is always mentioned ahead of “west.”

Ezekiel was like Jeremiah in that he was spiritually strong in the LORD. Yet, when Ezekiel saw the LORD, even in a vision, he “fell on (his) face” in an attitude of humility and reverence. Humility and spiritual reverence are what seem to be missing today. We are surrounded and submerged in pride. We acknowledge the LORD as responsible, but avow that without us, things would not have gone as well as they did. Shame on us!

Notice that Ezekiel “fell on (his) face” in worship of the LORD. When we come to the end of ourselves, and faithfully acknowledge the LORD’s Hand in the beneficence we receive, we will also find Him aboundantly pouring out extended blessings on us, as well. To God be the glory! Great things He has done!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Lamentations 3:22-26, The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
24 ‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘Therefore I have hope in Him.’
25 The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him.
26 It is good that he waits silently for the salvation of the LORD.”

“Big boys don’t cry.” I can remember my mother saying that to me when I was a child. I certainly wasn’t a “big boy,” but I was crying; and she was attempting to coax me into a good mood. With Jeremiah, however, it was different. He was an adult when he wrote Lamentations, and he already possessed a reputation for wisdom, courage and godliness.

Jeremiah viewed the LORD as loving and compassionate. Whatever life’s situations brought him, he greeted the LORD as faithful each day. Jeremiah opens his very soul when he counts the LORD as his faithful Companion. Walking alone in life is often lonely, yet the LORD fills every life of His human companions with hope!

Further, “the LORD is good to those who wait for Him.” Far too often, we seek Him in our lonely state, but lose patience when He does not smother us with His immediate presence. No thinking child would expect his parent to visit comfort and strength upon him continuously. But a child doesn’t stop to think. He lacks patience and expects everything to be at his disposal immediately. That’s why Jeremiah urges us to be patient and wait silently for the salvific blessings of the LORD. Practice being a “big Christian!” Don’t cry! Don’t be discouraged! Trust the LORD to be all you need Him to be, but allow Him to do it in His time.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom