PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Ezekiel 17-18
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“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?
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!
God steps in: “I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it….Why will you die, people of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone” This is the heart of our sovereign merciful and gracious God who is our loving Heavenly Father. God has no interest in the death of anyone! Yet God get’s blamed – even though it is us who have turned against God and spurned His ways. Like Ezekiel’s prophecy – “Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.” Thank you Jesus that my sins are fully covered – I repent of them. Help me Lord to live more nearly each day that I may worship you and honour you!
Do this and live. That is what the Master says. Live and do this.
That is the heart of the matter. A heart serving the Lord and not my selfish desires. All for Jesus.
I am reminded of the child’s song, O be careful little eyes what you . . .
Today as in everyday I need to live the JOY principal, putting God first.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a right spirit within me.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Thy presence;
Take not Thy holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation;
And renew a right spirit within me.