BOUND

I prayed for the box that the enemy had placed him in … to be shattered.

As soon as I woke up on the morning of 6/23/23, I had a prophetic vision with two parts. 

THE VISION PART 1

I saw the face of a man. His face was dirty and his hair was disheveled. He appeared to have been been sweating and was shaking, uncontrollably, it seemed. He was totally enclosed inside a light-colored wooden box that looked like an extremely narrow coffin. All I saw was his face, and I could tell that the box was totally surrounding him, to the point that he could barely move. Even though it seemed as if he had been left to die in a remote landscape where no one could find him, apparently, he was still breathing. The coffin’s planks were maybe an eighth of an inch apart, so he could see outside of the box yet was trapped inside. His skin tone was light, and he had dark hair and features. Honestly, he was very handsome and looked as if he could easily be a model. 

THE VISION PART II

In the second part of the vision, I saw the same man’s face, but this time he was not in a box. His face was clean, and his hair was combed. He was standing upright, smiling and laughing. Furthermore, the man was no longer shaking, or fearful, or anything of the sort. The atmosphere around him was sunny and pleasant, and his countenance was cheerful.

REFLECTIONS

Immediately, I began praying for this man. I initially prayed as if he was a real person who was actually in grave danger. My friend Melinda pointed out to me that perhaps he didn’t have anyone in his family to pray for him and so God chose me to pray instead. Who knows? I prayed first for rescue, for divine favor to be discovered where he was hidden, for healing, and for freedom. 

My second thought was that this entire vision may be symbolic. The face could be real, but the visions may be symbolic, with spiritual meanings—messages from God. The Bible tells of many times when God delivered messages through dreams and visions; He still does this today.

I continued praying but this time from a spiritually symbolic point of view. I prayed for the box that the enemy had placed him in, indicative of affliction, grave trouble, or sickness—forcing his life to be at a standstill—to be shattered. I prayed that whatever was keeping him bound would be destroyed because it was keeping him practically paralyzed in his current position, which seemed dire. I earnestly asked the Lord to bless him such that he would break free, for the chains that obviously held him to be loosed. His enemies had planned his demise, but check this out:

You planned something bad for me, but God produced something good from it, in order to save the lives of many people, just as he’s doing today.

Genesis 50:20 CEB

Perhaps, in the second vision, God was assuring me that He had already freed this man. More likely, He was showing me that the smiling, clean face, along with the brightness of his new atmosphere, represented the situation the man could be in, the results that could be—depending on his or someone else’s prayers. God does not force Himself upon anyone. How would you like it if someone had to force the person you love to love you back? No, that’s not how the Creator of the universe rolls.

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.

Hebrews 11:6 NLT

I read something recently that said we should either worry or pray, but not both. God’s instructions make this crystal clear:

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.

Philippians 4:6 NLT

Here’s the solution for anyone who feels as if they’ve been placed in a box—discouraged, stressed, bound:

PRAY

God’s word says if my people would humble themselves, and pray … then I will hear … forgive … restore … (II Chronicles 7:14).

MANY MAY RELATE

Whether the man in my vision is real or not, I believe there are many who can related to him and his situation.

Do you know anyone who may relate to this vision? Is it you?

  • Perhaps you feel as if everything is closing in on you, as if you were in a box.
  • Perhaps you feel entrapped, and you don’t see a way out. 
  • Perhaps you are nervous and uncertain about some things in your life. 
  • Perhaps you have been involved in something you are uncomfortable with, or that you know is wrong, and you don’t feel clean, spiritually.
  • Perhaps you look good on the outside, as if you have it all together, but on the inside you are distraught, maybe even depressed.
  • Perhaps you can see beyond your circumstances, but your feet feel mired in their current position.
  • Perhaps you are scared and ‘shaking’ and don’t know where to get help from or how to ask others, or God, for help.

GOOD NEWS

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

I Peter 5:10

God is a restorer. He strengthens you to be a repairer of the breach (Isaiah 58:12). He is a way maker. He parts seas. He raises people from the dead. He heals incurable diseases. There is absolutely nothing and no situation that He cannot handle. 

I pray in this moment that all who find themselves bound would soon be described in the following manner:

  • No longer bound
  • Completely set free
  • With chains broken
  • Surrounded by the marvelous, miraculous light of Christ
  • Smiling, genuinely, more often than not
  • Falling into the arms of the Heavenly Father, over and over
  • Looking to Jesus as both Savior and Lord
  • Rejoicing that the Holy Spirit guides every part of your life

Selah.


What are your thoughts after reading this post? Please comment and let me know, and I encourage you to share with others. Grace & peace.

Photo by Lars Nissen, LN_Photoart on Pixabay

What Can We Learn From Ezekiel?

“When the creatures stopped, they lowered their wings …”

CHAPTER 1 – SYMBOLS

During the 30th year of the Babylonian captivity of Israel, God gave the prophet Ezekiel a vision, which he describes in Ezekiel, Chapter 1. You are personally invited to dive deep with me into the powerful meaning behind some of his words, filled with intriguing symbols, revelation and ancient wisdom.

Symbol: Stormy Wind

In the midst of a stormy wind, Ezekiel saw a cloud with flashes of fire and seemingly glowing metal, surrounded by bright light.

Lessons

Sometimes, our circumstances seem like a storm with no end in sight and that all is lost, as if burned up by fire. What we don’t see is that the storm is surrounded by God’s light, for He sees all. If we look intently within, we’ll catch a glimpse of His throne in the middle of the storm.

Symbol: Four Creatures

Ezekiel saw four living creatures. Each creature had four wings, two of which were used to cover the creature, and the remaining two touched one of the other creatures.

Lessons

The fact that two of the creatures’ wings covered themselves is symbolic of us covering ourselves spiritually: by believing in God, receiving his son Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and having an intentional relationship with Him.

The other set of wings touching another creature signifies us touching other people, not only physically but spiritually. We are to have relationships with others and to encourage one another. God has something very specific to say on the subject: “When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves. Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).

Symbol: Sparkling Wheels

In Ezekiel’s vision there were wheels beside each creature. In each wheel he saw a second wheel crossways inside the first. All wheels sparkled, appearing as beryl gems, and the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. When the creatures moved, the wheels moved; when they stopped, the wheels stopped; and when they were lifted up, the wheels were lifted up!

Lessons

I believe these creatures were following in whatever direction their spirit heard, and wherever they went, their spirit went. Likewise, we also should follow wherever God leads us. We are body, soul and spirit, and God’s Holy Spirit speaks to us through our spirit. When He says “jump,” we need to say, “How high?!” The benefits are plenty when we tune our spirit to God’s Spirit — and then follow where He leads.

You will notice in Ezekiel’s vision that the wheels were beside, not attached, to the creatures. They were high, frightening and sparkled like beryl, a gem that forms many of the precious gemstones we know. In other words, the wheels commanded attention. These characteristics remind me of someone I know: He has promised to never leave nor forsake us; He is definitely ‘high’ in every way; reverently speaking, He is ‘frightening’; and He “sees everything you do,” and “watches where you go” (Proverbs 5:21).

Symbol: Roaring Seas

The wings of the creatures had a sound as a roaring sea and was compared to an army, as well as the voice of God. I believe this represents the collective praise of the people of God. He is a God worthy of worship and praise 24 hours a day, not only with our lips, but in everything we do. Imagine if every child of God around this world praised Him at the same time … can you hear a sound, both pleasant and powerful, like the roaring waves of the sea?

Lessons

When the creatures stopped, they lowered their wings. Why? I believe they needed to quiet their sound in order to hear clearly from the One who sits on the throne. While praise to God should always be on our lips (Psalm 34:1) — audibly or in spirit — there are also times when we should stop, become quiet … and listen.

Symbol: The Throne

Ezekiel ends this first chapter by describing a throne that looked like sapphire, the stone associated with wisdom, royalty, prophecy and divine favor. Upon the throne sat a figure that appeared human, glowing like metal on top and fire on the bottom. Furthermore, a bright light surrounded the throne and reminded him of a rainbow on a rainy day.

Lessons

Details often reveal keys that open the doors we need to walk through. Ezekiel obviously paid attention to the details. This simple practice ensures we understand the messages we are given that set us on the right path, less we miss them altogether, travel down the wrong path and waste precious time in our lives.

The splendor of the throne compelled Ezekiel to bow face down on the ground, since, for him, it represented the glory of God. And then he heard God’s voice speaking. We can see the glory of God every day of our lives if we are humble enough to look. He created everything, and He is everywhere. If we search for Him, He is easily found. Selah.

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Question for You

Do any of these symbols in Ezekiel’s vision stand out to you? I’d love to read your thoughts in the comments. Grace & peace.