Tuesday, September 1
Read Ezekiel 12
Think About It:
- Ezekiel 12:1-2 reminds me of our country today. Many in America have become rebellious toward God and “have eyes to see, but see not – and ears to hear, but hear not.” Ezekiel’s actions portrayed what the remaining people in Jerusalem were about to experience, as God directed him to symbolize the coming exile. God is merciful and gives us warnings if we will see His hand at work all around us and take time to hear Him speak to our heart. As we develop a closer relationship with Jesus, we automatically acquire a true reverence for who He is, and when that becomes embedded in our heart, repentance comes more quickly and frequently in our daily communion with Him. With a repentant heart, we avoid having our heart hardened by sin. God loves a repentant heart! These people Ezekiel spoke to thought they had plenty of time to get right with God – let’s learn from their mistakes and keep our heart right with Him every day! May it be the first thought as we wake up each morning and our last prayers before we go to sleep each night. Spend a few minutes right now pouring out your heart to Him and confessing anything that comes to mind to know you are right with Him.
- Just as Ezekiel is a sign for those in Jerusalem (verse 11), so we are a sign to those around us who do not yet know Jesus as their Savior. We were all created to live with Jesus in eternity, but the rebellious refuse to admit they need Him. We are the “sent ones” that they are watching! Our words and our actions should make it very clear that our citizenship is in heaven. We have the Word of God in our hearts for a reason – to live it out plainly as an act of love, having an eternal impact on those who are watching. They should know as they peer into our lives that we have a Savior who loves us and provides us with a peace beyond understanding, a God who protects, delivers and heals us, the promise of angels to guard and direct us and a Heavenly Father who always hears us. Just as it says in Ezekiel 12:23, the time is near for the fulfillment of every vision (prophecy). God watches over His Word to perform it. Pray for those who come to mind right now who do not yet know Jesus, who watch your life and might be influenced by your words and actions. Take every opportunity to show them the love of Jesus and pray for their hearts to be softened to receive the Truth.
Family Time:
- We do not like to view God as one who brings down judgment. In fact, some believe he may “allow” judgment but not bring it himself. Set straight today, that God indeed does and will bring punishment if we continue to live according to our ways instead of His. Repent and ask God to help you see Him as He really is.
