THE STORY OF JESUS: Ezekiel 16-18
“I take no pleasure in the death of anyone… Repent and live!” (Ezekiel 18:32)
Ezekiel tells two parables – about a woman’s rise and fall, and about a cedar branch.
Through these stories, he is inspired to explain to Israel their troubles.
Like the woman, God gave them everything to succeed in life.
Like the cedar shoot, God planted them in a place where they could survive.
It was their foolish, selfish, immoral choices that God them into trouble.
Their sin was killing them, not God’s punishment.
God ‘gives them over’ (Romans 1:24-32) to their sinful desires, and suffering.
It is our own choice – “The one who sins is the one who will die.” (Ezekiel 18:20).
God does not want us to suffer, God does not want us to die!
God does not want “anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
But will we come to our senses (Luke 15:17), will we change our ways?
Where is God frustrated with me because of my unwise, selfish or immoral ways?
In the end, we get what we choose… so why not choose well, why not choose life?
God wants you to live, and to enjoy LIFE to the full… do you?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, thank You for challenging me to rethink my ways. Help me to be specific in naming the foolish things I am doing, and to change my direction with Your help!
I remember the words of Joshua during this reading – choose this day who you will serve. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
Do I see/experience His presence each day?
Do I follow the Way?
Know God and walk in His SonShine.
Spend time with the Lord. Dwell in His Word. Remember His promises.
He has established His presence with His people but I need to choose to align my way to His.
Know God. Know Life.
Bear His fruit.
Be like the tree planted by the streams of living water – being fed by life giving water Christ supplies.
Change my heart oh God
Make it ever true
Change my heart oh God
May I be like You
You are the potter
I am the clay
Mold me and make me
This is what I pray
Change my heart oh God
Make it ever true
Change my heart oh God
May I be like You
Lord, You are the Potter and I am the clay.
Mold me and make me, have Thine own way
Lord, I need Your Spirit, Lord, I need Your grace;
Help me to run this Christian race.
You are the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me, have Thine own way.
Lord, I give my life, I give my all to You,
To be a willing vessel, to use me through and through.
Lord, I need Your Spirit, Lord, I need Your grace;
Help me to run this Christian race.
Have Your way,
Have Your way in me.