August 30, 2011 (Ezekiel 8-11; Revelation 4)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “and you will know that I am the Lord. For you have refused to obey my decrees and regulations; instead, you have copied the standards of the nations around you.” Ezekiel 11:12 NLT
Observation: Ezekiel is instructed to prophesy against the leaders of the people. They have broken the first and greatest commandment and set up idols in the Temple of God. They are giving wicked counsel to the people and encouraging them to build houses within the safety of the city walls. They trusted in the security of what they had built, rather than keeping their trust in God for protection. They no longer needed God, they had it under control. They booted God out of His own house and filled it with idols and idol worship. They hid in enter chambers within the Temple burning incense to their false gods. This brought about God’s fury and judgment.
Application: God is to be reverenced and respected as The God of the universe. He is to be honored and respected at the highest degree. Yet, in our culture today we receive wicked counsel of encouragement to treat God as just a friend, He’s just one of our buddies, He’s the “Big Man upstairs”. No! He is God, and He should be honored and respected as so. He has given us holy decrees and regulations that must be obeyed. Remember, to obey is better than sacrifice. Yet just like our forefathers before us, we copy the behavior of the nations around us and somehow expect a different result or outcome. God does not change; He is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore. The standards He set for His children to live by are the same. He must be the only God in our lives; He will not accept anything less.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. I know You are the Lord! You are the awesome God of the universe and above You there is no other. You have graciously given Your people decrees and regulations to live by, that leads us to You, and protects us from harm. You are my hope; in You I put my trust. The city walls will break down, yet my God will never fail! Give me the wisdom to know what’s right and the courage to do what’s right, even when it’s hard, in Jesus name, Amen!