Thirtieth Year

Ezek. 1:1 - Now in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth of the month, while I was among the captives by the river Chebar, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. 

Thirtieth, note on the Holy Bible, Recovery VersionReferring to Ezekiel’s age. At the age of thirty a priest, a Levite, was qualified to begin his service to the Lord (Num. 4:2-3; 1 Chron. 23:3; cf. Luke 3:23). This age signifies maturity, indicating that in spiritual things, especially in seeing the visions recorded in this book, there is the need of maturity in the divine life (cf. 1 Cor. 2:14-15; 3:1-2). 

Thirtieth year is the year of qualification to serve the Lord. This implies the need for growth in life and maturity to be able to serve the Lord. It is at this year that Ezekiel, the priest, began to serve. Meaning, without growing and maturing in the divine life, one cannot serve God, much less, see the vision of God under an opened heavens with a clear sky. 

This reminds me of my need for growth in life to see the heavens opened, see the visions of God, hear the expressed word of God, and experience the hand of God. The same applies to all believers alike. For God to do anything significant He needs man on earth; not mere man but man who are thirty years in age at least. Lest He be made to wait until He finds one of thirty years and above. 

I have been in fellowship with a brother concerning his family situation for quite some time now. Every time, I used the word of God to nourish him and shepherd him over phone call prayer and fellowship. This time round, I fellowshipped with him about his need to grow up in life even in the midst of all critical circumstances he has been going through. The enemy hates the growth in life of the saints, and he always tries his best to hinder the growth in life by various tactics and attacks. Often, many are caught unaware, including me, sometimes. 

This "thirty years" is a timely reminder to me and my fellow saints, our need to grow in life and be a priest serving God. Even today, I ministered the same point of truth to few young saints who visited us and also to the serving ones in the literature service in our morning fellowship.

Lord, cause the growth in me and my fellows saints! Yes, growing to thirty years and above...