Text: Ezekiel 24:1-27
“I am the LORD. I have spoken; it shall come to pass; I will do it. I will not go back; I will not spare; I will not relent; according to your ways and your deeds you will be judged, declares the Lord GOD” (verse 14, ESV). This chapter officially announces the military offensive on Jerusalem that will lead to its destruction. This was after many years of warning, giving them the opportunity to repent. God may delay the consequences of sin in your life; he loves you and I so much, but despite this, we cannot avoid the consequence of our sins forever. If the warning is ignored and we refuse to act, we will most likely forget what is expected. Yet the consequences will indeed come, whether we want it or not.
How should I act when I receive this discipline from the Lord? This Chapter speaks of a quiet groaning, and inner pain that arises out of an awareness that what we are experiencing now is not a surprise. In other words, we should allow the grace of the Holy Spirit to convict us, and commit ourselves to the transformation that He is taking us through. The pain is normal and is what the Holy Spirit uses in our lives. The wonderful thing is that this will change us and produce new positive ways of living and thinking.
Through this pain God is ultimately glorified in the process, for he is producing a new humanity. Pray for the strength to face discipline well when the Lord brings it to you.
Meditate on verse 14. What is God teaching you in this verse? How are you going to respond to it?
My Father in heaven, in the name of our Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ, open our eyes to the fact that although You are God of love and mercy, Your judgement is true and righteous and that any continued unfaithfulness will be duly judged.
Father, we repent of our wickedness and ask for forgiveness. Amen.