Scripture:
Ezekiel 14:13-14 “Suppose the people of a country were to sin against me, and I lifted my fist to crush them… Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were there, their righteousness would save no one but themselves.”
Observation:
It is not enough to be righteous. How can I have true passion for God if I don’t also share His passions – his people. If I say I love God, but I don’t love people, I’m a liar. To that end, I must be a servant, and I must be an evangelist. It’s interesting – so often we think of “evangelism” as a gift … to some point it is, but even then, only inasmuch as is the gift of zeal and passion for God. Everyone, whenever they are genuinely excited about something, is more than happy to share. In addition to the fullness that Christ brings in life – we ought to be further encouraged by knowing that there are two destinations at the end of life. It is of eternal importance that I do everything in my power to not sit, spared, in the middle of a doomed neighborhood, city, and world.
Application:
Get on it!
Prayer:
Lord, let your message live in me, and then give me the fortitude to not just proclaim it like a resounding gong, but to live it, apply it to my life in meaningful ways, and to deliver it to others with precision.
Scripture:
Ezekiel 3:10-11 “Let all my words sink deep into your own heart. Listen to them carefully for yourself. Then go to your people in exile and say to them ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says!’ Do this whether they listen or not.”
Observation:
Occasionally Nicole asks me to relay a message to someone. She carefully lays it out and attempts to explain every angle. But when the time comes, I often mess it up. She’s actually learned to identify when this will likely happen. She can tell whether we’ve really connected and are “simpatico” or if I’ve just heard her words but not captured her heart. God knows as well. If we’ve not captured God’s Word in our heart, we may be able to regurgitate exact words or even concepts, but chances are, we’ll mess up the message.
Application:
I really identify with this right now. I was asking Seth this summer about what God has been showing him – when he repeated the question to me, I struggled initially, but realized that my passion and love for scripture, and for this time alone with God have been blooming. God’s Word is sinking into my heart. Then, at the appointed time I will be able to communicate not just His words, but His message.
Prayer:
Lord, let my heart be saturated – let it be porous and thirsty for your Word.
Scripture:
Jeremiah 52 – Titled “The Fall of Jerusalem” in my Bible.
Observation:
God has sent dozens of messages through multiple prophets to his people. He’s begged them to turn from their evil. He’s sent small signs and big that he will not stand by while this nation lives in adultery with the idols and practices of other gods. He’s shown extraordinary grace, mercy, and patience. Yet their continued rebellion finally lead them to destruction – complete destruction. The Babylonians even go to the work of tearing down the walls – why spend the energy?! Everything is desecrated. God’s temple, a temple built in Solomon’s time with extraordinary investment of time and resources, is burnt, broken down, and carried off.
I don’t like putting Jenna in her room, or bopping her mouth, or taking things away – these are paltry in comparison. I can’t imagine the grief and the pain God must have felt as he watched this unfold – even though he set it in action. It would be devastating. Compare that with the scourging and crucifixion of Christ – his son. For the sins of God’s creations. Sin, if nothing else, grieves our creator, and it has devastating effects on our lives – even without punishment. But continued sin results in punishment – and however appropriate it is, I truly believe it grieves God more to carry it out than it does us to receive it.
Prayer:
Lord – forgive me. Show me the patience you showed Israel. Please let me heed the small signs in my life so I don’t need to be broken so far down to come back to you. Thank you for your love.
Scripture:
Jeremiah 38:20 – Jeremiah tells King Zedekiah “You won’t be handed over [to die] if you choose to obey the Lord. Your life will be spared, and all will go well for you.”
Observation:
Judah is being punished for years of egregious sin against the Lord. King Zedekiah is the lucky leader of the nation when this punishment is taking place – he has done nothing to turn the nation back to God. Yet God offers salvation to this wayward king even as his punishment rains down on Judah. The old testament certainly displays God’s wrath in response to jealousy, protection, and correction of His people. But along with that wrath comes sincere love for his people. Even those who refuse to listen.
Application:
I do not want to need severe correction, but I know that if/when the time comes for an area of my life to be burnt to the ground, I will trust my life to this God who is benevolent even in punishment.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for your empathy and your kindness. In times when you offer me a good way to go, please let me take it.
Nothing jumped out at me today, but this weekend’s service combined with Saturday’s reading prompted a comment here.
