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Ezekiel 14:1-16:63<\/strong><\/span> Ezekiel 14 verse 3 I believe can definitely speak to us today: \u201cSon of man, these leaders have set up idols in their hearts. They have embraced things that lead them into sin.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 This is scary to think about\u2026\u00a0 Have we set up idols in our hearts?\u00a0 Have we embraced things that lead us into sin?\u00a0 Think this is a good idea\u2026 ?\u00a0 Can we turn these idols in our hearts over to the Lord?\u00a0 It is my hunch that an idol set up in our hearts is one of the toughest things to get rid of.\u00a0 We need Jesus in our lives to free us idols.\u00a0 Will you let Jesus remove any idol that is in your heart this very day?\u00a0 Please don\u2019t let that idol hang around in your heart any longer\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n I am fascinated by God\u2019s words in Ezekiel chapter 14 verses 13 & 14 today:\u00a0 \u201cSon of man, suppose the people of a country were to sin against me, and I lifted my fist to crush them, cutting off their food supply and sending a famine to destroy both people and animals. Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were there, their righteousness would save no one but themselves, says the Sovereign Lord<\/span>.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 The first thing these verses tell us is that God\u2019s judgment upon Jerusalem at this time was certain.\u00a0 Even the righteousness of Noah, Daniel, and Job couldn\u2019t change that \u2013 only these 3 men would have been saved.\u00a0 However, this got me thinking.\u00a0 Is it possible that sometimes today we try to build up our own righteousness to ensure our own salvation and basically do nothing to try to build up others righteousness and help them toward their salvation?\u00a0 Meaning, do we sometimes retreat into a \u201cChristian bubble\u201d and ignore the rest of \u201cthe world.\u201d\u00a0 Leave them to their own devices.\u00a0 It just made me think when reading about Noah, Daniel, and Job that my hunch is that these 3 would not just chill out and relax in the glory and certitude of their own righteousness.\u00a0 My hunch is that they would get out there on the streets and try to save others.\u00a0 So, what about you and me?\u00a0 Are we just cocooning in our own righteousness and salvation, or are we taking salvation to the streets?\u00a0 Are we retreating from the battle for others\u2019 salvation or are we engaged in it?\u00a0 What say you?<\/span><\/p>\n Ezekiel chapter 14 verse 23 tells us today:\u00a0 \u201cWhen you meet them and see their behavior, you will agree that these things are not being done to Israel without cause, says the Sovereign LORD.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 I think sometimes we can read some select verses in the Old Testament out of context and think God is being harsh.\u00a0 God here reminds us that he is not being harsh without cause.\u00a0 And we\u2019ll see more of the cause in chapter 16 today\u2026\u00a0 Below is an image of Ezekiel prophesying to the elders who visited him in chapter 14 verse 1:<\/span><\/p>\n Ezekiel chapter 15 is an interesting one for me today, where God basically calls Jerusalem a useless grape vine.\u00a0 In reading this I am also reminded that Jesus in John 15 uses the grape vine analogy again saying \u201cI am the vine and you are the branches.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>This tells me that Jesus redeems even useless grape vines!\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 However, using this Ezekiel analogy, are we growing in our lives like trees or like vines?\u00a0 How thick are your roots?\u00a0 How solid is your core?<\/span><\/p>\n Ezekiel chapter 16 is a fascinating and sad look at the city of Jerusalem.\u00a0 This is the first time I have really spent a little bit of time with this chapter.\u00a0 The question I find for myself in reading this chapter is this: has God blessed us similarly in some ways that he blessed Jerusalem?\u00a0 Have we, perhaps, in some ways used the blessings that God has given us in improper ways?\u00a0 \u00a0Verse 6 in this chapter stood out to me: \u201cBut I came by and saw you there, helplessly kicking about in your own blood. As you lay there, I said, `Live!\u2019\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Bible commentaries suggest that this one word \u2013 Live!<\/strong> \u2013 is God\u2019s basic desire for all humans.\u00a0 How powerful is that realization?\u00a0 How very beautiful\u2026\u00a0 Live!\u00a0 Let us Live!<\/span><\/p>\n Worship God:<\/strong>\u00a0 Ezekiel 16:6\u2019s call to \u201cLive!\u201d reminded me of Casting Crowns wonderful worship tune called \u201cLifesong.\u201d\u00a0 Let this be our prayer today \u2013 \u201cLet my lifesong sing to you!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \n
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