Ezekiel 21

“Son of man, groan before the people! Groan before them with bitter anguish and a broken heart. When they ask why you are groaning, tell them, ‘I groan because of the terrifying news I have heard.’” (Ezekiel 21:6–7, NLT)

If we conducted a poll and asked, “What is the greatest problem in our nation?” we would get a variety of responses. However, if we asked, “Are you willing to groan over this problem with bitter anguish?” probably only a small percentage would respond “Yes”. But God made it clear to Ezekiel that there is a time to groan and be in bitter anguish with a broken heart.

Ezekiel had good reason to groan before the people. His beloved city of Jerusalem was being conquered by the Babylonians, and many of his countrymen would soon die by the sword. By groaning before the people, he would make them aware of the severity of the problem. In their bitterness of soul, perhaps they would cry out to God on behalf of Jerusalem.

When David wrongfully numbered the people, God brought a plague against Jerusalem and 70,000 died. So David cried out to the LORD in anguish and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings, and God stopped the plague (2 Samuel 24:15-25).

When we see or hear disturbing and terrifying things, often our knee-jerk reaction is to become angry. But how many of us groan in our spirit in bitter anguish and a broken heart? How many of us earnestly cry out to God for His mercy and help?

Jesus said:

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4, NKJV)

It could be that groaning before the LORD on behalf of others is the most effective thing we can do. And through this process, God may show other things we can do.