09/06/16 You Will Know That He Is Lord

READING: Ezekiel 25-27 

God is a God who wants to be known. He created the world and did not remain distant from it; He instead created humankind to be in relationship with Him and gave them responsibility to steward creation on His behalf. He called out a people through Abraham to be a nation of priests for the world. He raised up kings and prophets to lead His people. Eventually, God would come Himself in Jesus to bring redemption to a world that had rejected Him. The day will come now when He will gather His own unto Himself, and we will worship Him forever around His throne. Throughout eternity, we will praise the One who makes Himself known to us. 

In today’s reading, we are reminded that God even brings judgment on the nations so they will know that He is God. In His announcements against the nations of Ammon, Edom, Philistia, and Tyre, God makes it clear what will happen:

“I will destroy you [Ammon], and you will know that I am the Lord” (Ezek 25:7)

“I will inflict punishment on Moab. Then they will know that I am the Lord” (Ezek 25:11)

“Then they [Philistia] will know that I am the Lord, when I take vengeance on them” (Ezek 25:17).

When God brings judgment on the nations (often because of their treatment of His people), He reminds them that (1) even when it seems like Judah is just “like all the other nations” (Ezek 25:8), He does not take His hand off His people; (2) He alone is the only true God, disproving the supposed power of the false gods of the nations that could not protect their own people; and (3) He is a righteous God who does not tolerate sin. Thus, even in judgment He makes Himself known. 

I am reminded again today of just how different our God is from the false gods of the world. He wants us to know Him and to follow Him in such a way that we spread His glory.  We should want to know Him now, before He shows us who He is through judgment.  

ACTION STEPS: 

  • Be aware that God remains a God of justice who brings judgment when necessary. Living in awe of Him is right. If you have lost some of your awe, turn back to Him in repentance.  
  • Thank Him for His desire for us to know Him.     

PRAYER: “God, I take You for granted much too often. I want to know You as the Lord. Teach me. Forgive me. Change me.”    

TOMORROW’S READING: Ezekiel 28-30


 

 

 

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