Ezekiel 12-14
Here is a word we don’t use often. The prophet encouraged the renouncing of evil and sinful practices. When you renounce something, you make a formal declaration that you are abandoning something or somebody.
You are making your intentions clear to God and all onlookers.
Ezekiel 11
The prophet challenged the leaders of Jerusalem to abide in His Laws in the city and land God gave them. They were judged when they failed, although God was patient and long-suffering with them.
God has blessed us with SO MUCH. From homes to cars to golf clubs etc. He has been TOO GOOD to us. The least we can do is take good care of it.
How about our nation? Are we taking good care of it? I’m not talking about “Green” this and “Green” that … I’m talking about following His ways and being grateful for His blessings.
Ezekiel 8-10
God’s Spirit carried the prophet to see the detestable things being done by the people and priests in Jerusalem. God sent His ambassador to mark those who were lamenting the sin of the city. God seemed to commend their concern and anguish over the spiritual decay around them. They were spared the grief of judgment.
The message for us is: carry a spiritual burden and concern for the condition of your surroundings. The moral decadence, the lustful appetites, the outright contempt for the things of God … these are a few of the detestable conditions of the world we live in. It should break our heart and stir up a longing for revival in our land.
Love what God loves and hate what He hates.
Exekiel 6, 7
It is painful to read of God’s wrath and punishment upon His people for their sin and backsliding. Ezekiel and the other prophets whose writings made it into the canon of Scripture reveal the power of God’s anger and retribution upon those who ignore and disdain His Laws.
Thank God for Christ Jesus, Who in His sacrifice upon the Cross, took away our reproach, our sin, and our penalty. No wonder song writers have been extoliing the Grace and Mercy of God embodied by Christ Jesus, Our Savior for centuries. May we never stop praising Him Who paid the awesome price for our redemption.
Ezekiel 4, 5
Dramatically, God used Ezekiel to act out His displeasure with His people. God wanted to speak to them through the dramatic stunts He asked Ezekiel to perform.
One theme portrayed was that God’s people would waste away because of their sin.
A sad commentary is the life of Tommy Morrison, the young blond boxer who appeared in Rocky V. He went from being one of the most feared heavyweight fighters in the world to a shriveled up ghost of a man. His years of immorality, drug abuse, and riotous living caught up with him. Was it worth it???
Ezekiel 3
Two important topics in this chapter of Ezekiel:
Ezekiel 1, 2
Exekiel can be perplexing to the reader or the student of scripture. He was an eccentric man, but most true prophets are. His book was included in the Canon of Scripture and deemed “God-breathed” by theologians. He provides a description of his calling in the first two chapters of his book. It is a primer of sorts for those who hear from God.
To me, the descriptions of the beasts he saw seem like how an ancient would react to seeing and hearing jet fighters or war tanks. As you “listen” to the book (pull up audio Bibles on Biblegateway.com and select NIV Dramatized) your mind’s eye can visualize modern war devices.
To hear God speak should be the goal of every Christian. As was King David, we each are called to be a prophet-priest-king to the Lord.
Listen to the Lord: He IS speaking to us. Is. 50:4
Lamentations 4, 5
The prophet noted that joy was gone from the hearts of the people who were victims of Jerusalem’s downfall. Dancing became mourning and their appearance was crest-fallen. They were a sad sight.
Sin will do this to you. Deep, abiding joy can only be found in a heart that knows the Lord and has been cleansed by the blood of Jesus.
Mary, Christ’s mother uttered these words as she considered her Son, our Redeemer: “My soul [i]magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.” [Luke 1:46,47]
Lamentations 3
The prophet’s lament is balanced by one of Scripture’s greatest promises … “Great is Thy faithfulness!”
As we read chapter 3 we wonder is living for God is worth it. Then, the Lord breaks in upon our pain with insight into His eternally merciful nature. His compassions NEVER FAIL. They are new every morning.
In the dark hour of the soul, it is 3 o’clock in the morning!
Lamentations 1, 2
Keen insight is given in this book about intercessory prayer for your children. The prophet instructs:
“Let your tears flow like a river
day and night;
give yourself no relief,
your eyes no rest. Arise, cry out in the night,
as the watches of the night begin;
pour out your heart like water
in the presence of the Lord.
Lift up your hands to him
for the lives of your children.” [Lam. 2:18b, 19a]
God hears and honors sincere, heartfelt prayer for others. When our hearts are broken at what breaks His heart, we are making eternal progress.
TCS Daily Devotional 