Heartbroken 09.08.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today we are continuing our studies on the book of Ezekiel, please read Chapters 22-24 in your Bible or Click Here to read. Cut & paste to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel%2022-24&version=9

Today we will read and learn about the sins of Israel listed; a parable of two sinful sisters; a parable of a boiling pot; and the death of Ezekiel's wife. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that having a heart like God's will cause us to be heartbroken over our own sins and the sins of others.

For years Ezekiel prophesied about the final destruction of Jerusalem and now the time of judgement was about to come. Unbeknown to the world what seemed to be an act of fate was an act of God caused by the sins of Judah.

On that very day that God revealed to Ezekiel that his precious wife would pass away and that he was to refrain from any signs of mourning, "Also the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke: yet neither shalt thou mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down. Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of thine head upon thee, and put on thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not thy lips, and eat not the bread of menhe was to refrain from all the conventional signs of mourning for the dead. So I spake unto the people in the morning: and at even my wife died; and I did in the morning as I was commanded." (Ezekiel 24:15-18). It was not that God wanted him to be insensitive to his wifes death, but his own personal grief had to be put aside in order to handle the death of God's nation as well as the destruction of His Temple that was about to take place.

Through Ezekiel God revealed to Israel what was about to happen, "Speak unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the excellency of your strength, the desire of your eyes, and that which your soul pitieth; and your sons and your daughters whom ye have left shall fall by the sword. And ye shall do as I have done: ye shall not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men. And your tires shall be upon your heads, and your shoes upon your feet: ye shall not mourn nor weep; but ye shall pine away for your iniquities, and mourn one toward another. Thus Ezekiel is unto you a sign: according to all that he hath done shall ye do: and when this cometh, ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD." (24:21-24). The Israelites' acceptance of false gods and their indifference to the Word of God had brought about the destruction of Jerusalem and the death of their own sons and daughters, just as they had been forewarned by Jeremiah in Jerusalem.

Even today we often see people grieving the loss of material things, but showing little or no concern for their own or their children's eternal welfare. Jesus said, "Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Often we see people grieving over material losses, but showing little concern for their own, or their children's, eternal welfare. Jesus said that His disciples should not be preoccupied with earthly things, not even our daily needs." (Luke 12:27-31).

Just as Ezekiel became a living sign of God's sorrow, there must be a sign of the cross of Christ over evert part of a Christian's life. We do not need to worry about tomorrow because God is right there and will take care of us not do we need to hide the fact that we are a child of God. God will bless all whose heart is set on Him and not of the world. "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee." (Titus 2:11-15).

In today's reading Jesus Christ is revealed through the denunciation of Israel's false prophets (Ezekiel 22:25-28). "Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets." (Luke 6:26)

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
As heirs of Your salvation, we have been purchased with the sacrificial blood of Your precious Son, Jesus. He gave His all that we might be saved from the eternal consequences of sin and have our names written in the Book of Life. We have the blessed assurance that we are redeemed from sin and saved for eternity in heaven. Thank You for such wondrous love and abundant provision on our behalf. In Jesus' name.....Amen.

Have a great and wonderfully blessed day!
God Bless You,
Christina

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