SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 8
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen what the elders of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol? They say, ‘The LORD does not see us; the LORD has forsaken the land.’” [Ezekiel 8:12]
In this vision, Ezekiel is given a sneak peak at the secret sins of the people, the things that people are doing where they think no one is looking.
On the surface things can look very good and pious and holy, but God sees beneath the surface to the secret sins.
What does He see when I am alone, when no one is looking?
What does He see behind my nice words, my pious speech, my public reputation?
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. [John 3:19-20]
Jesus is the light of the world, but He is also a light in my own heart.
Often people resist what Jesus has to say because it exposes the selfishness or worldliness of their own hearts.
Who wants God to shed light on our secret motives and desires?
Self-awareness is so important for healthy self-esteem, but the truth is we do not want to see ourselves as we truly are – better that we feel good about ourselves.
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. [John 3:21]
As Jesus-followers, we need to step into the light; we need to allow the Spirit to search the secret motives and desires and expose the sin and selfishness that is resident there.
No, it is not pleasant, but it is good!
Reading the bible is one of the ways that God by His Spirit does this; we need to read it with Him, and allow Him to convict and challenge us as we read.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. [Hebrews 4:12-13]
As God shows you what is happening in the darkness in your own life, what do you see?
PRAYER:
Lord, You have shown me things I prefer not to look at. Help me to see that hiding does no good, that it is better to allow Your light to expose my heart, so that I can be healed!
Being true through and through.
Man is good in masking, putting on a false front and that is happening here in this passage. Being in the city of God, His servants/people are serving themselves and not God. In the darkness of the night they think that no one sees them or knows what they are doing – serving their selfish desires – their own gods. They have turned to do what was right in their own eyes and turned their backs to the Lord. In secret, they do what is right in their own eyes.
As the deeds of the people were exposed in this vision, so my deeds are open for God to see. All what I am and be, He knows. And I, His child, pretend that He doesn’t see my sins because of the darkness around me. But He is the all knowing Light and there is no darkness in Him and He has exposed all. I need to be in that Light for that Light is the Light of Life. No two faced, but true to self and all. I need to to live the Word each day in His presence and walk in His Light always. No dark secrets but exposed in His presence. LightShine in His SonShine.
Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.
Living for Jesus Who died in my place,
Bearing on Calvary my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.
Refrain
Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy Name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.
Refrain
Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.
Refrain