SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 19-24
“This is a lament and is to be used as a lament.” (Ezekiel 19:14)
God does not delight in punishing the wicked, it breaks His heart.
“The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the foreigner, denying them justice.” (Ezekiel 22:29)
Do we really appreciate how bad things were, how the innocent suffered at the hands of the wicked?
“Yet I looked on them with pity and did not destroy them or put an end to them in the wilderness.” (Ezekiel 20:17)
Again and again, God tried to help them, to help them change for the better.
“Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Since you have forgotten me and turned your back on me, you must bear the consequences of your lewdness and prostitution.” (Ezekiel 23:25)
God is not just being mean; He is finally executing justice after years of patience and mercy.
“The lowly will be exalted and the exalted will be brought low.” (Ezekiel 21:26)
God is setting things straight – rescuing the innocent and punishing the wicked.
“The crown will not be restored until he to whom it rightfully belongs shall come; to him I will give it.” (Ezekiel 21:27)
God’s plan from the beginning was to set up a place and a people where justice and freedom would reign.
But again and again His people rejected this idea – so God promises a Messiah.
One day a special leader will arise who will NOT betray God, justice and the innocent.
Jesus is this messiah, to whom the crown rightfully belongs.
Jesus is God’s answer to our failure to set things straight.
As hard as Ezekiel’s words are, as hard as God’s just punishment is, there is still hope!
Mercy (what we don’t deserve) always triumphs over judgment (what we do deserve)!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, Your pain is felt through these words. Thank You for not giving up on us, but giving up yourself for us. May Your better world come!
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
Observation/Application
God is God.
Is He the central part of our lives? Do we see Him every day? Do we listen to Him? He is God and we need to obey Hs way. We need to be His followers always. If not . . .
Am I stubborn? Have I hardened my heart? Trust and obey. Walk in His way. Walk in the Word of the Lord.
Lead me and guide me daily Lord in the Way that I should walk.
Let the Word of the Lord also come to me each day so that I will walk in His Way. Yet today like then each has done what was right in his own eyes. Set me upon the right Way and lead me ands guide me by Your Spirit.
As the people were reminded again and again, so I too need to be reminded to always walk in His SonShine.
1
Lord, speak to me, that I may speak
In living echoes of Thy tone;
As Thou hast sought, so let me seek
Thy erring children lost and lone.
2
O lead me, Lord, that I may lead
The wandering and the wavering feet;
O feed me, Lord, that I may feed
Thy hungering ones with manna sweet.
3
O strengthen me, that while I stand
Firm on the rock, and strong in Thee,
I may stretch out a loving hand
To wrestlers with the troubled sea.
4
O teach me, Lord, that I may teach
The precious things Thou dost impart;
And wing my words, that they may reach
The hidden depths of many a heart.
5
O give Thine own sweet rest to me,
That I may speak with soothing power
A word in season, as from Thee
To weary ones in needful hour.
6
O fill me with Thy fulness, Lord,
Until my very heart o’erflow
In kindling thought and glowing word,
Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show.
7
O use me, Lord, use even me,
Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where,
Until Thy blessed face I see,
Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share!