Ezekiel 20 – continued disobedience in the face of forgiveness

I want to begin by pointing out to the few of you that follow my blog that although I have not written in a while, it does not mean that I have ceased reading as was the case before.  I either wanted to internalize what I read or wasn’t in a place fit for writing, but either way, I was still reading!  I encourage you to go back through chapters 16-19 to see what’s going on (especially 16 – that one got me good!)…

In Ezekiel 20, elders of Israel come to Ezekiel for a word from the Lord and get a history lesson.  God points out to them how time after time He would show them the way to live, they would turn the other way, and He would forgive.  God has had enough.  He tells Israel how to find forgiveness, but He also tells of coming judgment.  Israel is in trouble.

Ezekiel ends by saying, “Ah, Sovereign LORD! They are saying of me, `Isn't he just telling parables?'”  In other words, the Israelite elders aren’t buying what Ezekiel’s telling them!  Not only have they been foolish in not following God, but they are now being foolish in not believing His words!

I am SO guilty of this!  I’ll be in the depths of my sin and instead of listening to God to find a way out, I’ll continue ignoring Him and decide that I still know what’s best.  FOOLISH!  God, help me be wise!  Help me see my foolishness before it’s too late!

Ezekiel 15 – short but sweet

This is a short chapter, but it packs a powerful punch.  God simply says that Israel will not escape His wrath.  Too often we foolishly think we can get away with things, but we can’t.  God sees all and knows our hearts.  We need to be honest with God, others, and ourselves.

On another note, I came in second today in a disc golf tournament!  I played in the same tournament last year and did horribly – this year I finished on the top (#2 out of over 60 people!).

I had a thought: maybe I did well because I’ve been investing in God’s Word more!  Do you think God works this way?  Do you think He blesses us when we are obedient to Him?  I’d love to hear your thoughts…

Ezekiel 14 – recapture me!

I grew up on Michael Card, and I greatly enjoyed his music (I still do!).  For my birthday one year, my mom offered to get me a two-disc set of his, but we both thought incorrectly that it was called The Word and I was given the CD to the left…

This must have been God-ordained, for one song on the album stood out to me – Recapture Me.  That phrase “recapture me” is repeated over and over in the song.  Michael Card writes out of Scripture and bases many of his albums on different Biblical passages.  This one is based on the prophets, and I read in the liner notes that this song was pulled out of Ezekiel 14.  I read the chapter and was blown away.  I just read it and was blown away again!

God desires to recapture my heart.  He desires to recapture your heart.  Sure, most of the chapter is about God’s wrath and judgment, but He talks about His desire to recapture the hearts of those that had walked away.

I know He has pursued and recaptured my heart – time after time after time after time.  Has He pursued your heart?  Has He recaptured it?  I’d love to hear how He’s done that for you.  He did it for me in Mexico when I had given up hope in Him.