Exekiel 33

I forgot to push the “Publish” button yesterday. Please back up one to read “The SOVEREIGN Lord.”

Today, we discuss the warning. If you see someone in their sin and warn them of the eternal consequences of it, you have done your job and their guilt is upon themself. However, if you don’t warn them and they perish, it is upon you. God is gracious and forgiving, BUT we have a job to do in sharing the Gospel and the consequences of rejecting Christ.

The Holy Spirit gives us boldness to witness!

Ezekiel 31, 32

God’s sovereignty is His “absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure.” [Easton Bible Dictionary]

God created everything and provided the substance and matter from which it was formed. In fact, He “spoke” everything into existence. His power is actuated by His voice.

He speaks through His Word, He speaks through us as we quote His Word, and He speaks through us when we present the Gospel.

Ezekiel 29, 30

God shows Ezekiel how nations will fit in to His plan for their future. It’s as if He uses them like chess pieces to accomplish His strategies in the earth. Their success or failure does not depend upon their craft or strength. How they have conducted themselves morally and spiritually are the big factors.

It’s that way in life. We can place our confidence in wealth, armament, intelligence, or pure physical ability. God will allow all these strengths to fail so that we will finally acknowledge that HE RULES in the affairs of man.

We must keep praying for our nation.

Ezekiel 28

A portion of Ezekiel’s prophecy concerning the king of Tyre is about the man. Another distinct portion is about Lucifer, God’s formerly anointed cherub who had a very high position in heaven but lost it because wickedness and pride was found in him.

In my opinion, the devil is often given too much credit for things going wrong. His power is limited and he is roaming about “like a lion” trying to devour whomever he can. Yet, in God we have protection. We can conduct our lives without fear of our enemy because God has erected a hedge of protection about us.

When we put our focus on God’s power and Kingdom, we can get our eyes off the distractions and “roarings” of our enemy. He’s defeated and he knows it. Trust JESUS!

Ezekiel 27

Tyre was a great, seaport city like New York. God was revolted by its pride. Its king thought he was a god. Although the nations were served by its commerce, God made an example of it for all to see. Nothing but ruins remain today.

Cities can become seemingly invincible. How could so much building mass, infrastructure, and assemblage of people ever become vulnerable? Easy. Just begin thinking you’re above God, that you’re too big and powerful so that nothing can stop you.

Blessed is the nation (and city) whose God is the Lord. [Ps. 35:12]

Ezekiel 25, 26

Ezekiel wrote down what God said to him and dated it. We have his book because of it.

When God speaks, He is not just “Whistlin’ Dixie.” His impressions and spiritual thoughts to us are precious. When we show Him that we are paying attention to Him and acting upon His instructions, we create a flow of revelation that directs our life in TRUTH.

In essence, this daily blog that I write is an example of what I’m talking about. Please remember, this exercise is to likewise stimulate YOU to seek Him EARLY in your day. It’s a wonderful and rewarding way of life.

Ezekiel 24

God showed Ezekiel a pot on a fire. It was heated up to be red hot until the pots contents were refined so that impurities would rise to the top, available to be skimmed off.

Men don’t normally cleanse themselves. However, they can request that the Lord cleanse them. He turns on the heat. Impurities are revealed. Sin is confessed. They become more pure.

Jesus said blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.

Ezekiel 23

Jerusalem was likened to a prostitute who chased after lovers. This broke God’s heart and caused Him to create animosity between her lovers and herself.

Lust will do that. When it has its way, it doesn’t create satisfaction … only grief.

 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. [James 1:14, 15]

Ezekiel 22

Corrupt leaders and widespread sin in cities is nothing new. Ezekiel’s main target was Jerusalem but this reveals to us God’s focus on the judgment of cities. Recently, our news reveals turmoil and rampant violence in the largest cities of our nation.

God told Ezekiel he was looking for intercessors who would take up a burden for their City and pray. Scripture says he found none. Let’s let a different narrative be written about the cities we live in.

Ezekiel 19-21

While riding the escalator in the Atlanta airport, I asked a passenger about his t-shirt which had the name of his church on it. From his fellow passenger’s mouth came Eph. 2:8,9 which says salvation comes ONLY from Christ and not from works. Of course I agree with that. I said, “It’s JESUS!”

In looking back, I think I feel that I was stabbed by the sword of the Word of God rather than being skillfully operated on by a sharp scalpel. A surgeon prepares the area to be cut with anesthetic and sterilization. He removes or corrects the unwanted unhealthy portion of the body. The body then heals up and functions better.

Do your best to know that God is pleased with you. Be as a workman who has nothing to be ashamed of. Teach the words of truth in the right way. [2 Tim. 2;15 NIV]