DATE WRITTEN: Tuesday, 2020-09-28
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: Ezekiel 6:9-10
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)

BIBLE TEXT: ⁹ ….. They will recognize how hurt I am by their unfaithful hearts and lustful eyes that long for their idols. Then at last they will hate themselves for all their detestable sins. ¹⁰ They will know that I alone am the Lord and that I was serious when I said I would bring this calamity on them.

OBSERVATION: Some will say that there is no God, while others will oppose that view because they believe there is a God. But like a child might ask, how do you know that God exists? I believe much like the majority of humans believe, that there is a God, but don’t we often act as if He is merely a God of convenience? The Israelites seemed to have avoided God’s instructions, and acted as though He dished out vain threats. God shared through the prophet Ezekiel that his actions will prove to His people that He indeed exists. As we put our minds on the Almighty God for a moment today, let’s consider how we might answer the above question.

APPLICATION: Often when something is repeated in the Bible, it behooves us to look closely at that and understand why it was so important to reemphasize that fact. I was especially impacted by the AMP translation of verse 10 that reads: ‘And they shall know, understand, and realize that I am the Lord….’. I would highly recommend that you read the entire chapter of Ezekiel 6, as you will find this phrase repeated 4 times throughout the chapter. God saw the importance of this statement and repeated it. I wonder how often He says those same words to us! Think about the 9-11 tragedy. Many souls were tragically lost, but people were lined up for city blocks to get inside churches to truly seek God’s face and examine their own souls. Was this a time that you too stopped and had an extraordinary awareness of God? Did you suddenly realize that He was the One who was mighty to save and that your best place of refuge was at His feet in humility? Did you understand that no matter how good you had it in life, there was only one way to heaven, and it was super important that you examine your soul before the King of all kings? Since that time, there have also been: out of control fires; monster hurricanes; super destructive earthquakes; and of course, COVID-19. Many have been drawn to God through these international phenomenons. And because they acquired a new knowledge of God, they understood His power and His saving abilities, and they realized that only God could truly save you from those unheard of disasters. He got your attention, didn’t He? But, unfortunately, the same character that resulted in thousands of deaths for the Israelites, reared its ugly head among our people, for churches gradually returned to its normal minimal number of worshippers; families continued to struggle because of divorces, abortion and in-fighting. There no longer seemed to be a real need for God anymore, because our people returned to a life of sin, like they had become accustomed to prior to the international reminders from God. So let me ask this very important question: have you come to realize that there is a God who loves you, and who has made a provision for your eternal salvation? If so, have you accepted my Lord and asked Him to direct your life each and every day until He calls you home to glory? God prepared awful tragedies to show the Israelites that He was, who He said He was. How much more must He do to get your attention, dear friend? God sent His Son to save ALL who would call on His name. That includes you … yes you, so no more excuses, please? Please be sure to read my Footnote, especially the information behind my link ‘To Know Jesus’. Contact me if I might be of help to you, and to allow me to pray along with you about this life changing step you would like to make.

PRAYER: Precious Lord, You went to an extreme that was so unlike Your character, You destroyed Your people because of their stubbornness. Thankfully, You placed this whole scenario in Your Word for us to learn from this. Please Lord, soften the hearts of all those who will read this devotional and be reminded of a God who does what He say He will do. Way too often we use this characteristic to remind ourselves that You will do good for us, but I believe that since our world is filled with so much sin today, You could use this same tactic on our stubborn generation to help convince them of their sin and their need for a Savior. May the lost be reminded of Your seriousness to do what You said You would do, and may they come boldly before Your throne for grace and mercy, yes even today, Lord. Oh that You might be glorified today because of the large number that will stop to ponder Your truths. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!