God Speaks
The LORD Lays Out What Earns Eternal Death and What Leads to Eternal Life
Verse of the Day: [If people will turn to the place of relationnship with Him, the LORD says,] “‘. . . There you will remember your conduct and all the actions by which you have defiled yourselves, and you will loathe yourselves for all the evil you have done. You will know that I am the LORD, when I deal with you for my name’s sake and not according to your evil ways and your corrupt practices, you people of Israel, declares the Sovereign LORD.'” [Quotes in the original.] (Ezekiel:20:43-44 NIV 2011)
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We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Ezekiel 18-20:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
Ezekiel 18
1. The LORD God takes note of the behavior of individuals and nations. The lives of those who continue in unrighteousness will be ended, but the lives of those who continue or turn to righteousness will be preserved.
2. People should turn from their unrighteous behavior to following the righteous ways of God. He doesn’t want them to die, but they must turn back to Him and live!
Ezekiel 19
1. At times, God delivers His messages in the form of a song, in this case a funeral dirge.
2. Parents are responsible for training their children to be strong adults who can stand up against pressure and opposition (physical or moral).
Ezekiel 20
1. God laid out His reasons for not giving guidance to some of the leaders of Israel who called on Him.
2. God’s special people have a history of rebelling and not listening to Him. They don’t realize how detestable to Him their sins really are.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Ezekiel 18-20?
O Sovereign LORD, You do take note of the behavior of individuals and nations. You know not only our outward actions but our inner thoughts and ulterior motives as well. You know the thoughts and plans of those who insist on continuing in unrighteousness. They will end in eternity away from your presence. You also know the inner and outer lives of those who continue to promote righteousness. They will be preserved for all eternity with You. How thankful I am that You both allow and enable us to change. If we will acknowledge our sinful actions and attitudes and begin to turn from them, O LORD, You will welcome us and forgive us on the basis of Christ Jesus’ death and resurrection. You will make it as if we had never sinned. However, people who start out living righteously may in the end turn away from You. They will die for their sins and suffer eternal consequences. You do not want them to die (physically or spiritually), so they must turn back to You and live! At times, You deliver Your messages in the form of a song. In the case of this funeral dirge, You want parents to know that they are responsible to train their children to be strong adults who can stand up against pressure and opposition (physical or moral), regardless of the circumstances in their lives. You also have clear reasons for not giving a response to some people who call on You for guidance and protection. Mainly, it’s because they have not listened or obeyed in the past, and You know our rebellious hearts. Even Your special people have a history of rebelling and not listening to You. We don’t realize how detestable to You our sins really are. Please forgive us and, by Your indwelling Holy Spirit, enable us to bring You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Ezekiel 18-20? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will ask God to give me a plan for turning around the unrighteous actions and attitudes in my life, then follow it,
- I will forgive and encourage someone who has hurt me but is now making an effort to turn back to God.
- I will follow the example of the lioness in this story (Ezekiel 19) and work to train young leaders for my community and/or nation.
- I will review my personal history and that of my family, community, and nation so that I can recognize and acknowledge to the LORD any and all detestable sins and seek their forgiveness because of what Jesus did at the cross.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.