August 30, 2013 (Ezekiel 8-11; Revelation 4)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “No, this city will not be an iron pot for you, and you will not be like meat safe inside it. I will judge you even to the borders of Israel, 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 11:11-12 NLT
Observation: Israel’s leaders thought they were safe and secure in the walled city of Jerusalem. They trusted in the iron laced stone walls and the army’s brut force to protect them from all enemies. However, they didn’t consider God would become their foe. Seventy of the leaders of Israel were in a hidden room near the north gate of the Temple of the Lord burning incense to idols. While twenty five prominent men of the city were at the east gate planning evil and giving wicked counsel to the city. They thought they had hidden their despicable sins from the Lord but they were wrong. God knew all about their idols and the worship taking place in hidden rooms, He also knew every thought that entered into the minds of these corrupt leaders. Israel had did what God had warned them not to do! They had refused the God of Heaven and His standards of holiness and instead copied the standards of the nations around them. Therefore they were about to be destroyed along with their iron pot and learn who the Lord really is!
Application: How often we put our trust in things that can easily be destroyed. Many are trusting in their money or success to protect them from the enemies of life. However, God is the only One we can put our trust in that will never be defeated or destroyed. His ways are right and just and we do ourselves a huge benefit to follow His standards of living. When the day of God’s judgment comes, no fortress or military power will be able to protect from God’s wrath. He simply speaks a word and it comes to pass. If He says fall, then that which He has spoken to comes down. Being obedient to God’s standards and regulations have always been important to Him and always will be, He does not change. What pleased Him thousands of years ago still pleases Him today. Faithfulness and obedience to the one true God is the only power we have to protect ourselves from the coming destruction. Will we turn back to the old paths and trust Him and His decrees, or will we copy the standards and customs of the nations around us and suffer the consequences?
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. You are the God of Heaven and I know You are in complete control. Nothing is hidden from You and even the thoughts that enter my mind are known by You. Cleanse me from anything not pleasing to You. May my safety and trust be in You alone and may my actions be according to Your righteous standards always, in Jesus name, Amen!