Ezekiel 32 - Live By The Sword; Die By The Sword

We read, yet, another chapter declaring Egypt's destruction. She has killed many by the sword and she will die by the sword. Assyria will be the sword that causes her such great destruction.

So much killing. So much destruction. Often, I hear how the world has gotten so much worse that we must be near the end of time. But, read the Old Testament and you will see that humans have always been violent. We have lusted after more of everything: more wealth, more power, more military strength. We have always served false gods. We have always tended to be prideful. We have caused our own problems and our own demises. We have not served the one true God. We have not listened to His will for humankind.

May God have mercy and bring to this world a peace wherein we can live together without destroying each other and ourselves. Those who live by the sword risk dying by the sword. Trouble begets trouble. That, my friends, is a no brainer... Be kind to one another so that you might live in peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ezekiel 11 - God's Glory With Us

The glory of the LORD is on the move. "The glory of the Lord went up from within the city and stopped above the mountain east of it." (Ezekiel 11:23 NIV) Ezekiel, in his vision, sees the cherubim, along with God's glory leave the city of Jerusalem and move to the mountain east of it.

The people who were not sent into exile to Babylon; those who were left behind, continue to do evil. Their leaders give are giving them bad advice. They do not follow in the ways of the LORD, but according to the ways of the nations around them.

The word that comes to Ezekiel is one of warning and of hope. Those who are left behind will be driven out; but, those who are in exile will return, They will remove all the false idols from Jerusalem and worship the LORD. He will give them undivided hearts and put a new and right Spirit within them. (vs. 19)

Those who have been tried and refined during their exile will return to the LORD and to their homes. Those who were left behind to live and worship in Jerusalem have only learned to think higher of themselves than they ought and have their only their demise to look forward to.

There are times for all (most?) of us when our lives get a little rough. Those who love the LORD will return to Him. Those who think too much of themselves and love only themselves will not return. The road will get a lot rougher for them. It is God's good will that none should be lost. Let us all rejoice and be reconciled to Him. May the glory of God be present with us, to be seen by all.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 31 - Worthless Idols

I went to bed last night and woke again this morning thinking about the worthless idols that people whom I love worship.  It is very sad to know that rather than God, people that I care about would worship these inanimate objects.  Even sadder is the fact that they don't realize that they are doing this, so there is no repentance.  They cannot change until they see the light. 

I have been told more times than I can count: "I believe. That is enough."  But, what do you believe?  Do you believe that the money you're trying to win gambling online is going to save you?  It's more likely to bury you.  And... even if you do win, will it really bring you happiness?  Why do you waste the hours, the days, the life that God has given you to such worthless pursuits? Do you really believe that the drugs (even if they are legal prescriptions) and the alcohol are going to bring you peace?  What's up with that, anyway?  Has all sense departed this world?

God has given us and continues to give us an abundance of gifts. But, we set them aside to pursue things of this world.  What's up with that?

David wrote in the Psalm today:  "I hate those who cling to worthless idols; as for me, I trust in the Lord."  (vs 6 NIV) Unlike David, I do not hate those who cling to worthless idols.  Rather, I pray for those who have fallen into the trap of worshipping them, to their own demise.  They will not know peace until they turn to the LORD.  And... living without the peace of God is not a place I'd wish upon anyone.

May God help us all to worship the one true God and receive the blessings He has so richly given us through Jesus Christ, our LORD and Saviour. 

How abundant are the good things that God has stored up for those who fear Him, that He bestows in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in Him! (vs 19)

God's Peace - Pr. J