Ezekiel 21-24: I am worn out with the lamenting and sadness we have read through the last month. Israel’s disobedience and captivity can be hard to read through! I was asking the Lord for something positive to write about today and this is what came to mind.
For those of you who are parents or who have ever worked with kids, you know how there are some children that you can look at with a corrective eye and they will straighten up. My mom was the master at this from the choir on Sunday mornings. You knew when she looked at you with “that look” you had better straighten up and fly right. Then you have some that look straight back at you, smile or laugh and keep right on going. That is when mom would put her head right next to my head in church like she was lovingly kissing me, but through gritted teeth she would say, “If you do not straighten up right now I am about to take you out.” Now she wasn’t talking about killing me, but she was planning something outside that would tan my hide and make me want to stop talking and pay attention. Then there was the time when she would lift you up by your arm, march you out the front doors of the church and yes apply the board of education to my seat of learning. I would know I had crossed the line and needed and deserved what I had done.
As I look at Israel and Judah God had been so gracious to them. He had sent the look through the prophets words. He had sent the speech through gritted teeth through the difficulties of life, but here God is taking them by the arm and marching them out the door! He is applying His board of education to them with the intent that they turn from worshipping worthless gods and themselves and turn back to Him.
America, Oh how I hope we will learn from the lesser disciplines to come back to God. This is not a political issue. It is not a social issue. It has no color or gender. It is a heart issue. We choose. We listen and obey or suffer the consequences. God is pleading with us. He longs to lovingly move us back to right relationship, but if the gentle reminders cease to work, the strong arm will come. I pray especially for the church. We know the right way. He is peering at us with loving eyes saying, return. His word stands as a constant reminder of right behavior. Oh read, listen and obey.
This child of God has had enough whippings. I have felt His breath on my head as through gritted teeth He has said, enough. I am running so hard to Him I am out of breath. Oh sister, brother, come and join me!