READING: Ezekiel 23-24
Sometimes just a few words say much. Often, in fact, they’re life-changing. Think about these phrases, for example. “I love you.” “Your mother has died.” “He is in jail.” “You’re pregnant.” “I do.” “It's gone; the scan is clear.” “It’s a boy.” “The tornado hit your home.” The words may be few, but the emotions wrapped up in these words are often intense and deep.
Such a phrase occurs in today’s Bible reading. God had announced coming judgment on Jerusalem. He had given them a number of images to understand what He was going to do, and then He ended one section of His words with this phrase: “‘I have spoken,’ declares the Lord” (Ezek 23:34). At the beginning of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, God then again concluded His warning with similar words: “I the Lord have spoken” (Ezek 24:14). He would act decisively in judging His people, for He would keep His Word. He had spoken, and that’s all that mattered.
He has indeed spoken. We who are His children are to submit to Him and resist the devil (James 4:7). We are to glorify God with our body (1 Cor 6:20). We must be willing to forsake everything and everyone to follow Him (Luke 14:26). We are not to lust in our heart (Matt 5:28). We are not to avoid meeting together with believers, pushing each other to do good (Heb 10:24-25). We are to take drastic steps to avoid sin (Mark 9:43-48). We are to be light in a dark world, taking the gospel to the nations and making disciples of all peoples (Matt 5:14-16; 28:18-20). We must all appear before Christ to answer for the way we live (2 Cor 5:7). For believers, that judgment will determine what crowns we have to give back to the Lamb who is worthy (Rev 4:10-11). That Lamb is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords (1 Tim 6:15).
The Christian life is difficult at times, but knowing how we should live as believers is not as hard as it seems. After all, the Lord has spoken.
That’s all that matters.
ACTION STEPS:
- Review the life standards of the third paragraph above. If you see places where you need to repent and grow, confess that need to God.
- Thank Him for loving us enough to give us His Word. He wants us to know what He has spoken.
PRAYER: “I’m grateful, Lord, that You have spoken Your Word. Make me love that Word. Grant me faith to live it out fully today. Help me to teach it to others.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Ezekiel 25-27