READING: Ezekiel 5-8
Sometimes I forget just how sinful human beings can be. I know I’m a sinner, of course. I know my mind can travel far into sin. I recognize that I will likely always struggle with issues like lust, pride, and self-dependence. I remember battling sins for years before God finally granted me victory. I know that my frustrations and worries are a reminder that I’m still a sinner.
But, I don’t know just how sinful I could be were it not for the grace of God. Wicked, even.
I think of that truth when I read about the idolatry Ezekiel saw in his vision of the worshipers in the Temple in Jerusalem. Many of these were leaders, and yet they had set up some “image of jealousy” (Ezek 8:5) in the Temple. They engraved on the wall images of “creeping things and loathsome beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel” (Ezek 8:10). They worshiped false gods in the dark of their rooms, believing that “the Lord does not see us” (Ezek 8:12). Women mourned before Tammuz, a god of vegetation (Ezek 8:14). And, in the inner court of the Temple, leaders were worshiping the sun God (Ezek 8:16). It is no wonder, then, that God decided, "I will act in wrath. My eye will not spare, nor will I have pity. And though they cry in my ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them” (Ezek 8:18).
Hear this description again: the leaders of the people of God were worshiping the sun god in the Temple of the true God. I am not sure a person can travel much further in the wrong direction away from God.
And, I’m reminded that I, too, could have been much more deeply in sin today had God not sought me, called me, drew me, and saved me. I shudder to think of where I might be had I been left to my own will, sinful and broken. In fact, I’m realizing every day that the only reason I don’t go in that direction today is because of Him.
As the hymn writer wrote, His grace really is greater than all my sin.*
ACTION STEPS:
- Don’t dwell long here, but consider where you might be were it not for God’s gracious intervention.
- Thank God over and over again today for His transforming grace.
PRAYER: “God, thank You for reminding me about your loving, protecting grace. Continue to change me. Make me more like Your Son.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Ezekiel 9-12
*http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Grace_Greater_than_Our_Sin/