ESOCS Devotional 4 August 2022
TEXT: EZEKIEL 33:10-20
MEMORY VERSE: “When I say to the righteous that he shall surely live, but he trusts in his own righteousness and commits iniquity, none of his righteous works shall be remembered; but because of the iniquity that he has committed, he shall die.”Ezekiel 33:13 NKJV
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
Prophet Ezekiel was sent to minister to the people of Israel and to convey God’s will to them. He was also charged to be a watchman. He prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem, and in this chapter, his ministry had changed to a positive message of restoration, if the house of Israel turns from their wickedness unto the living God.
See the first sign of this restoration in verse 10 where the people saw their offences, as we hear them say, “If our transgression and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live?” Until a man comes to a point where he no longer derives pleasure in committing sin, he will not experience the mercy of God.
On the other hand, as stated in verse 11, God has nothing to gain from the death of a sinner. Many times people are tempted to believe that He endures too long with the wicked; but the period of pardon is meant to restore the sinner or the backslidden.
Furthermore, a righteous man is chastised when he falls away because God treats him as a son, and not a bastard (Heb. 12:6). His previous ways of righteousness will not avert the discipline. God disciplines us based on what we have done. The Bible says that whatever a man sows he reaps. Hence, no believer should place confidence on past righteous deeds or acts. It is also important to note that God forgets our past offences and does not keep record of our wrong doings, as long as proper repentance has taken place (v 16). Our God is an impartial God.
- As children of the kingdom, what should be our attitude towards those who offends us?
- When we forgive others the evil they commit against us, do we really forgive from our hearts and delete the records from our minds?
- Lord, give me the heart that forgives easily, in Jesus name.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Deuteronomy 5:1-11; 2 Samuel 11 & 12; Ezekiel 33:10-20; John 18:12-18; Hebrews 2:1-9
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ESOCS Devotional 4 August 2022
