September 7

Ezekiel 31-33
God tells Ezekiel that the people take pleasure in hearing him, but that they do not do what he says.  Yet, a time is coming when they will know that a prophet has been among them.  Unfortunately, there are many yet today who gather those who speak words of comfort to them, telling them what they want to hear.  And, when the preacher speaks words of conviction it is as though he said nothing at all.  People who only hear without conviction are self-deluded.  God expects us to change when we learn His will if it conflicts with what we are doing or not doing.  If we fail to follow the word of God, we are only deceiving ourselves into believing that we walk with the Lord.  There will be a day of reckoning, and if we have willingly chosen to ignore His word, we will have to answer for our dereliction.

September 6

Ezekiel 28-30
There is a little-known biblical scholar in the denomination I attend who has been promoting the idea of annihilationism, instead of eternal torment, for those who will go to hell.  Although not a salvation issue, it is still interesting and provides food for thought.  His is a kinder, gentler, view of hell, in my opinion.  However, I just can’t get past the passages that speak of a hell where its inhabitants suffer the wrath of God forever.  Today’s reading lends some weight to that concept, as the Lord speaks to nations that He will utterly destroy, putting their evil rulers to death.  He follows each episode of destruction with the phrase, “then they will know that I am the Lord.”  How will they know that if they have been totally annihilated?  They will know it because they will still be conscious in their deaths and able to witness the power and majesty of the God they have spurned!

September 5

Ezekiel 25-27
God reminds Tyre of their wealth and fame, how that they were the jewel of the nations, honored by all and great in power, resources, and business.  However, they did not follow the Lord and He brought destruction upon them.  This is an oft repeated scenario in the Old Testament, and it is usually accompanied with the phrase, “and then they will know that I am the Lord.”  This reminds me of the New Testament passage stating that every knee will bow and proclaim the name of the Lord.  Of course, this passage has to do with the final judgment.  However, the principle remains the same.  When God pronounces judgment on the wicked they will truly know that He is the Lord, but it will be too late, destruction will have already come.  It will be too late to learn from the mistakes of the past.  He has given ample opportunity to come to Him in repentance.  As for nations falling, when they do because of their wickedness, they never return to their former glory.

September 4

Ezekiel 23-24
When the prophet’s wife dies, he still goes out and speaks to the people as God commanded.  He is to be an example for Israel, as well as, an example to us.  Throughout his life Ezekiel, along with the other prophets, suffered much.  They were not given a pass on the sorrows of life because they were God’s special messengers.  Yet, they remained faithful, continuing to fulfill the will of God in the presence of God’s people.  Perhaps it was easier because they had received special inspiration from the Holy Spirit, but I don’t really believe that played much of a part in their righteous way of life.  Men and women of God serve Him because they love Him.  They are able to identify with His desire to live among them and enjoy fellowship with them.  God has created mankind for His own special purpose, so that He might share an intimate relationship with them for eternity.  The sorrows of this life are fleeting compared to the joys of eternity with our faithful heavenly Father!

September 3

Ezekiel 21-22
At the end of today’s reading, the Lord says, “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.  So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign Lord.”  We must ask ourselves if we are standing in the gap?  I love my country and have done all I am able to serve her faithfully.  However, in my short lifetime, I have witnessed the moral degradation that has almost completely engulfed the United States of America.  Our society has legalized the senseless slaughter of innocent babies, normalized sexual perversion, promoted vulgarity under the guise of free speech, and denounced sexual purity in marriage in favor of rampant sexual immorality in every facet of life.  How has this happened in such a great nation that was founded on the principles of Christianity?  I fear it is because God has not found many who are willing to stand in the gap, taking on the fiery arrows of those who are promoting this great evil.  Again, I ask, are you willing to stand in the gap?

September 2

Ezekiel 18-20
As I read of the rebellion of Israel I cannot help but compare it to the rebellion of America.  God said, “But they rebelled against me and would not listen to me; they did not get rid of the vile images they had set their eyes on, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt. So I said I would pour out my wrath on them and spend my anger against them in Egypt.”  Our modern world is rebelling against God, not listening to Him; they refuse to turn from their vile speech and pornographic lifestyles, holding on to hedonistic values, while rejecting the wholesome, life-enriching statutes of the Lord.  How long will He put up with it, before He steps in and destroys this once, great nation that was under God?

September 1

Ezekiel 16-17
The Lord speaks of how He brought Israel up from its humble beginnings, of how He made her a queen, lavishing gifts of luxury, making her the most beautiful of all nations, honored by all, looked upon with envy and awe.  Yet, she used her beauty in rebellion to the Lord.  She prostituted herself with the gods of the nations, those that were not really the sovereign Lord.  Instead of being grateful for all that He had done, she scorned His love and mercy, turning away and seeking out other lovers, embracing their ways, while rejecting the ways of Jehovah.  Their unfaithfulness must have cut Him to the quick.  He was heartbroken, because His bride essentially rejected His blessings and honor.  I wonder, is He heartbroken when we Christians reject His teachings, embracing the latest philosophical views and scientific theories?