READING: Ezekiel 17:1-19:14
Today, I needed to be reminded of God’s incredible grace toward those who return to Him. I continue to pray deeply and regularly for two persons in my life who are still wandering in their sins, and I sometimes struggle with praying continually when it seems nothing is changing. As He often does in His love, though, God has spoken today through His Word to encourage me. These are the words that grab my attention:
“But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die. None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live. Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?” (Eze 18:21-23)
When people turn from their wrong and trust God through faith evidenced in obedience, God remembers their sin no more. He blots out their rebellion (Psa 51:1). Our hope lies in the fact that God finds no pleasure in bringing judgment on the wicked; instead, He delights when sinners come home. He is pleased to cleanse, pardon, and renew sinners. One commentator put it this way: “It is the Lord’s longing and will and purpose that men should be saved. Such a longing should be shared by every preacher who ventures to speak about the judgment of God.”*
As a preacher who must preach the entirety of God’s Word—which includes both judgment and forgiveness—I hear loudly these words. At the same time, I cling on behalf of my non-believing friends to the belief that God still delights in saving people.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: When was the last time you spoke to someone about God’s willingness to save?
DAILY PRAYER: “Thank You, Father, for finding no pleasure in judging the wicked.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Ezekiel 20:1-22:16