Month: August 2024

The Pride Problem!

Today’s reading from Ezekiel is a good reminder of the outcome of pride. God has a message for Ezekiel to give to the kings of Tyre and Egypt. To the king of Tyre, God says because you claim that you are a god and as wise as a god, I am going to bring an army against you, and you will fall (Ezekiel 28:2, 7-8). Concerning Pharaoh, who claims in pride to have made the Nile River, God says that He will pull Pharaoh out of the Nile and into the wilderness and leave him there to die (Ezekiel 29:3-5). Though not mentioned in the reading, The Book of Daniel reminds us of Nebuchadnezzar, who was lifted with pride. God responded by causing him to crawl around on all four limbs like an animal and eat grass like an ox (Daniel 4:30–33). In the New Testament, the people called Herod a god, and because he did not dispute that claim, he immediately broke out into worms sent by God, which consumed him (Acts 12:21–23).

So, what does the Bible say about pride? Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud. (Proverbs 16:18–19, NKJV) When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2, KJV) A proud person lacks wisdom, for wisdom says to stay humble and not think of oneself too highly. 

What, then, is our best protection against pride? Notice this instruction from God’s Word. Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. (Romans 12:3, NLT) Yes, by faith, let’s heed this warning from God!

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Ezekiel 28-31.

God Took It Seriously!

Today’s reading issues several messages of judgment against Israel and Judah’s neighbors and enemies. Their sin was seen in their reaction to the news of God chastening His people. Ammon cheered when they heard that the Temple was defiled, and she mocked and laughed, clapped, and danced as God’s people went into exile (Ezekiel 25:3, 6). Moab will be judged simply because she thought nothing special of God’s people (Ezekiel 25:8). Edom avenged themselves against Judah (Ezekiel 25:12). The people of Philistia held a long-standing and bitter contempt for Judah (Ezekiel 25:15). Tyre also rejoiced over the fall of Jerusalem thinking it would enrich them (Ezekiel 26:2).

Israel’s enemies haven’t changed their tune over the millennia. Today, they still rejoice over any calamity that comes upon them. They constantly seek their destruction. They are full of bitter contempt. In addition, it is not just Israel that this world seeks to destroy, but Christianity as well. Yes, Satan and evil men who do not have faith (2 Thessalonians 3:2) seek to harm, cancel, persecute, and kill Christians. Of course, Jesus warned us of this…If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. (John 15:19–20, ESV)

Ultimately, the real battle here is with the devil, and he is fighting against God. The devil has already lost this battle, but until he is locked away in hell for eternity, he roams about seeking whom he may devour. As Christians, we realize our enemy is him, not the flesh and blood he often works through to trouble us. Thus, I am reminded of some Scripture in Proverbs. Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him, And He turn away His wrath from him. Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the wicked; (Proverbs 24:17–19, NKJV) Though we suffer persecution in this world, may we grieve the condition and the future of those that do such. And when they fall, when their calamity comes upon them suddenly, which it will, may we remember that but for the grace of God, there go I.

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Ezekiel 24-27.

A Righteous Wall!

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. (Ezekiel 22:30, NLT) Interestingly, Jerusalem’s biggest threat was not another nation; regardless of how powerful that nation might be, her biggest threat was her sin. At the same time, Jerusalem’s protection was not in her city walls or the alliances and treaties she made with powerful nations but in a wall of righteousness. This wall of righteousness was broken down due to her sin, and they are left exposed to the judgment of God. 

But God was not interested in “taking advantage” of this breach, as an enemy would. He sought someone who might stand in the middle of the brokenness, someone who might rebuild it, but God found none. Therefore I have poured out my indignation upon them. I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath. I have returned their way upon their heads, declares the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 22:31, ESV)

What a powerful reminder of the effect of righteous people in a wicked world—those willing to stand in the gap of brokenness and not cave to the iniquity and sinful culture around them—who stand opposed in a society that agrees to do wickedly. The biggest threat in our day is not the wicked who do so wickedly; it is the salt that is not salty (Matthew 5:13) and the hidden light (Matthew 5:14-16). While this kind of “standing in the gap” is not popular and is often targeted with persecution, popularity is not our calling. Raising a banner of righteousness is our calling, that many may be spared the destruction of sin and the judgment of God. 

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Ezekiel 22-23.

God Won’t Answer!

In today’s reading, we see the utter lack of respect Israel’s leaders have for God. “Son of man, tell the leaders of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: How dare you come to ask me for a message? As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, I will tell you nothing!’ (Ezekiel 20:3, NLT) Wow! God is absolutely not going to tell them anything! The shamelessness of Israel to think that they can wallow in their sin, their idolatry, their injustice, their utter blasphemy of God and His holiness, and then think that they can tap God for an answer and look into the future! Talk about a lack of spiritual self-awareness!

Why should God answer them? In Ezekiel 20:8, God says they rebelled against Him and would not listen. In Ezekiel 20:13, they rebelled and refused to obey His decrees. In Ezekiel 20:21, He says that their children, too, rebelled. Each time, God spared them from his wrath, desiring that they should repent, but they wouldn’t and didn’t. So, why should God listen to them now and give them an answer when their hearts are not different? God says, “I will tell you nothing.” 

What a reminder of the mercy and patience of God, yet that God will not be mocked by the unrepentant. What a reminder to call upon the Lord while He may be found. Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. (Isaiah 55:6–7, KJV)

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Ezekiel 20-21.

To Each His Own!

The person who sins is the one who will die. The child will not be punished for the parent’s sins, and the parent will not be punished for the child’s sins. Righteous people will be rewarded for their own righteous behavior, and wicked people will be punished for their own wickedness. (Ezekiel 18:20, NLT)

In today’s reading, God makes it very clear who is punished for who’s sins. The soul that does wickedly will bear the punishment of that wickedness. The penalty for sin is death. God will not recognize anyone playing the blame game or having a victimhood mentality. Under God’s justice, every person is responsible for their actions. 

Additionally, when a sinner takes responsibility for their sin and repents, there is forgiveness! “But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness that he has done he shall live. (Ezekiel 18:21–22, ESV) Notice, too, that forgiveness for the repentant sinner is for the sinner that repents; it does not carry to anyone else, nor can a repenting sinner repent for anyone else. 

How good of God to forgive the sinner, who admits their sins and repents! Of course, God forgives us for the sake of His Son, who lived perfectly, and extends His righteousness to us, which we receive by faith in Him alone. The blood which Jesus shed for us makes atonement for the soul. It satisfies the justice of God. Have you looked to Him in repentance and faith that you might be forgiven and live? “Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live. (Ezekiel 18:23, NLT)

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Ezekiel 18-19.