Ezekiel 22:17-23:49; 2 Kings 24:20-25:2; Jeremiah 52:3-5; Jeremiah 39:1; Ezekiel 24:1-14
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Once again in verse 30 of chapter 22 of Ezekiel we see God's compassion and God seeking an opportunity to stop the coming judgment: "I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn't have to destroy the land, but I found no one." No one was found... This verse makes me think about this - sometimes I think we tell ourselves, "What difference does it make? What difference does it make if I'm good or bad? What difference does it make if I serve and love others in need?" Check out verse 30 above again. Think one person could have made a difference then? What about now? Will you make a difference today? Will you stand in the gap?
Ezekiel chapter 23 is interesting in its use of prostitution and lust as the metaphors for Israel's political alliances with neighboring lands. My thoughts here are that we live in a "sexualized" world in so many ways today - and perhaps things weren't so different back then. Sex is obviously something that was created as a good by God - but can so quickly and easily be twisted into something that is not good. Sex is good in the right context of marriage. Detrimental in the wrong. It seems to me that lust and the selling of sex was as prevalent back in Ezekiel's today as it is in ours. To which we may need to remember well Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 6:18 - "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body." And of course James 4:7 - "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Is there an area of our lives related to sex that you must flee from? Will you flee?
Worship God: Today's reading in Ezekiel reminded me of Israel Houghton's song "Friend of God" and that it seemed like only Ezekiel could sing this song during these days... Let us pray we are friends with God today!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U0fdcIhXzw
Are you a friend of God? Click here to meet your true Friend!
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
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