Text: Ezekiel 14:1-23
“… that the house of Israel may no more go astray from me, nor defile themselves anymore with all their transgressions, but that they may be my people and I may be their God, declares the Lord GOD” (verse 11, ESV). In the Christian life we have a new radical way of looking at suffering. Our God is not simply interested in giving out punishment. His love is so overwhelming that even in disciplining He makes it clear that He is bringing about a spiritual change in us. We do not suffer just so that we can complain to God and our neighbour. No, the suffering can produce something beautiful if we can just see it from our Heavenly Father’s viewpoint.
We suffer through trials in this life, knowing that, by faith, we will become something useful and holy; someone whom the Father can use for His own glory. Through this process we learn to become more faithful and holy. We also learn the spiritual disciplines that help maintain our movement forward in Grace. Please look forward today, for this spiritual movement in your own life!
Meditate on verse 11. What is God teaching you in this verse? How are you going to respond to it?
Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we accept Your chastisement as righteous and just. Forgive us for we have gone astray as a nation, and have worshiped idols. We repent, O God our Father, fill us with Your Spirit, going forward. Amen.