God Breaks Down Stubborn Pride

Scripture: Ezekiel 2: 4-5

The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious people—they will know that a prophet has been among them.

Scripture Commentary: A stubborn nature drives us backward, not forward

God gave Ezekiel the difficult responsibility of presenting His message to ungrateful and abusive people. God called the people “obstinate and stubborn” because they refused to admit their sin. Even when God pointed out their wrongdoing, the people ignored the truth. Are we turning a blind eye to our sins?

As Christians, we are an example of God’s Word. We must live as He tells us to live. The Lord told Ezekiel not to be afraid, but to speak His words even if the people would not listen.

God will not judge us for how well others respond to our faith, but for how faithful we are

We do not have to fear rejection or ridicule when God’s spirit is within us. He does not give us a task too large to handle, and He is always watching over us when we go onto the battlefield for him. God’s strength is powerful enough to help us live for Him even under the heaviest criticism.

God always gives us the strength to accomplish what He asks us to do. When God talks, we must listen.

Are you ready to hear the Word of God?

Read the Entire Chapter:
Ezekiel 2

Do You Listen to God or to Yourself?

Scripture: Ezekiel 2: 1, 4, 7

He said to me, “Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.” (1) The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ (4) You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. (7)

Scripture Commentary: Love the Lord your God and listen to his voice and hold fast to Him*

Do you listen to God or to yourself? Are you rebellious, impudent and hardhearted? God knows the true answer, so be honest. If you have an open and obedient attitude, God will fill you with His spirit and power so that you can accomplish the job He has for you.

We’re living in the same times as Ezekiel, with people living in sin and saying that it’s OK. Men with men, women with women, stealing, lying, and living only for oneself.

We are made from the dust of the ground yet God chooses to place within us His life and breath. And He asks us to serve Him. How can we serve God and live in sin? We are weak, but living for God will strengthen us for the purpose He has for us.

The Lord told Ezekiel not to be afraid. Ezekiel was to speak His words whether or not the people listened. God doesn’t expect us to understand everything about Him. We are to be willing and obedient servants, faithful to what we know is true, right and Godly.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Ezekiel 2

Additional Reading Also Referenced:
Deuteronomy 30

The Chaff Blows Away, the Grain Bears Fruit

Scripture: Psalms 1: 1-2, 4, 6

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.(1) But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.(2) The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.(4) For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.(6)

Scripture Commentary: Are you the chaff or the grain?

Which way is the wind blowing you? Are you like the chaff being carried in all directions or are you like the grain that’s planted and ready to bring forth fruit for Our Lord Jesus Christ?

The more you are in God’s presence, the more fruitful you are. On the other hand, the more you allow those who ridicule God to affect your thoughts and attitudes, the more you separate yourself from your source of nourishment.

You can have contact with unbelievers to witness to them, but you must not join in or imitate their ways. You are God’s child and by being so, you must do your best not only to live His way but also to show others how God lives in you.

There are only two paths. God’s path which is obedience, or the path of rebellion and destruction. The path you choose determines how you spend eternity.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 1

Praise God In His Sanctuary

Scripture: Lamentations 2: 7

The Lord hath cast off his altar, he hath abhorred his sanctuary, he hath given up into the hand of the enemy the walls of her palaces; they have made a noise in the house of the LORD, as in the day of a solemn feast.

Scripture Commentary: The sanctuary is only the building; we are God’s light in the world

Our place of worship is not as important to God as our pattern of worship. The church sanctuary may be beautiful to the eye but if its people don’t sincerely follow God, the church and the people in it will decay from within.

Are you merely reciting words you don’t really mean or understand when you worship? Do you pray for help that you don’t really believe will come?

What do you do when God answers your prayer? Do you thank Him but continue to live your life without change? Do you express love for God that you don’t really have? Or do you tell the people around you how God has answered your prayer?

You are the true temple of God

The building is the central place of worship, but we are the carriers of His Word.

Don’t substitute symbols, even so called good ones, for the reality of a living, personal relationship with God himself. Earnestly seek God and catch a fresh vision of His love and care.

Have you forsaken Him? God hasn’t forsaken you.

We are His and He is our Father, and He is waiting for you.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Lamentations Chapter 2

Into Thine Hand I Commit My Spirit

Scripture: Psalms 31: 1-5

(To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.) In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me. Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou artmy strength. Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

Scripture Commentary: Trust God and commit to Him

We say we have faith in God, but do we really trust in Him? David called upon God to deliver him. “Into thine hand I commit my spirit…” This conveyed his complete trust in God.

When we place something in God’s hands, do we leave it with Him?

As Jesus was dying on the cross, He said, “Into your hands I commit my spirit.” This showed his absolute dependence on God, the Father. Peter also repeated these words as he was being stoned to death.

David, Jesus and Peter knew that in death they were simply passing from God’s earthly care to His eternal care.

We should commit our possessions, families and our very lives to God

Don’t be trapped by the false security of prosperity. Wealth, power and fame have an intoxicating effect on people, making them feel self-reliant and self-secure. They make themselves independent of God. Satan has a way of making us feel dependent upon earthly things. Don’t fall into his hands.

As Jesus and Stephen did, commit yourself to God by living and working in His name.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 31

God’s Compassion Never Fails

Scripture: Lamentations 3: 1, 20-24

I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.(1) My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.(20-24)

Scripture Commentary: God is full of compassion, grace, truth and mercy*

In Jeremiah’s darkest hours, his hope was strengthened with this assurance: God had been faithful and would continue to be so. Because of God’s great love, you are not consumed. His compassion never fails.

Have you given up on the Lord, or do you think the Lord has given up on you?

Our Lord Jesus Christ will never give up on you so do not give up on Him. When you don’t live in a godly way and are disobedient to God’s will, He may chastise you out of love.

Jeremiah knew from personal experience about God’s promise that punishment would follow disobedience, and it did. But God also promised future restoration and blessing, and Jeremiah knew that God would keep his promise.

When you ask God for help and promise Him you will do better, do you keep that promise? You must not complain about being disciplined by God; you must learn and trust in Him.

We must allow God’s correction to bring about the kind of behavior in our lives that pleases Him.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Lamentations Chapter 3

*Additional reading:
Psalms Chapter 86

How Should God Reward You?

Scripture: Job 34: 32-37

“Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.’ Should God then reward you on your terms, when you refuse to repent? You must decide, not I; so tell me what you know. “Men of understanding declare, wise men who hear me say to me, ‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’ Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man! To his sin he adds rebellion; scornfully he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”

Scripture Commentary: What should we do and how should we be before God?

There are many things we should do, say, be. Ask God to show you what you aren’t able to see. Learn what you are doing wrong and make correction.

We can:

Turn to God for understanding, endurance, and deliverance
Ask important questions we might not take time to think about in our normal routine
Prepare to identify with and comfort others who suffer
Open ourselves to helping others
Obey God’s Word
Be ready to learn from a trustworthy God
Realize we can identify with what Christ suffered on the cross for us and be sensitized to the amount of suffering in the world

That, OR we can:

Become hardened and reject God
Refuse to ask any questions and miss any lessons that might be good for us
Allow ourselves to be self-centered and selfish
Withdraw from the help that others can give
Reject the fact that God can bring good out of calamity
Accuse God of being unjust and perhaps lead others to reject Him
Close ourselves to any changes in our lives

God is still concerned even though He does not intervene all the time. God will always execute justice. He loves us.

Read the Entire Chapter:

Job 34

Lead and Teach Me Your Ways, O Lord

Scripture: Psalms 25: 1, 4-7

Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.(1) Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.(4) Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.(5) Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.(6) Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD.(7)

Scripture Commentary: Teach me how I should be; lead my life according to your ways, Lord

David asked God to keep his enemies from overcoming him. He asked God to lead, teach, and show him mercy.

Your enemies not only oppose you. They also oppose God and how He wants you to live.

You are opposite to God’s laws when you place money, success, prestige, and lust in your life. When you let these things overcome you, then you are living as Satan wants. If you begin to live this way, then you’re lost. And your family and friends may think that living for God is futile.

You must keep the Lord Jesus Christ in your life at all times so that your enemies will not succeed

Pray for guidance. Place yourself in His hands. Let God guide you in the path of righteousness.

Your first step is to want to be guided and to realize that God’s primary guidance is in His word. Read Psalms 119. It tells of the endless knowledge found in God’s Word.

Do not be tempted to demand answers to all of your questions. You should be prepared for direction and guidance.

Seek and you will find the path that God has prepared for you.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 25

Additional Reading:
Psalms Chapter 119

The Gain From Sin Lasts But A Moment

Scripture: Job 20: 1-8

Then Zophar the Naamathite replied: “My troubled thoughts prompt me to answer because I am greatly disturbed.I hear a rebuke that dishonors me, and my understanding inspires me to reply.“Surely you know how it has been from of old, ever since mankind was placed on the earth,that the mirth of the wicked is brief, the joy of the godless lasts but a moment. Though the pride of the godless person reaches to the heavens and his head touches the clouds,he will perish forever, like his own dung; those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’ Like a dream he flies away, no more to be found, banished like a vision of the night.

Scripture Commentary: The joy from doing wrong lasts but a moment but the long term effect destroys your eternity

Although Zophar was wrong to direct his tirade against Job, he was correct in talking about the final end of evil people. At first sin seems enjoyable and attractive. But “the mirth of the wicked is brief, the joy of the godless lasts but a moment.”

Lying, stealing and oppressing others often brings temporary gain to the perpetrator. Some live a long time with ill-gotten gain. But in the end, God’s justice prevails.

What Zophar missed is that judgement for these sins may not come during the sinner’s lifetime. Punishment may be deferred until the last judgement when sinners will be eternally cut off from God.

Some people think that that they are Christians because they go to church, pray, and act pious. By earthly standards they are successful but they are living a sinful life.

We shouldn’t be impressed with the success and power of evil people. No one will escape God’s judgement. You can lie to yourself but not to God.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Job 20

Be Honest With God and Trust Him in Your Anguish

Scripture: Job 7: 1, 11

Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? are not his days also like the days of an hireling?(1) Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.(11)

Scripture Commentary: Do not act out in your anguish

Job felt deep anguish and bitterness, and he spoke honestly to God about his feelings to let out his frustration.

How is your relationship with God? Can you talk to Him and be honest?

If you express your feelings to God, you can deal with them without exploding in harsh words and actions. Job referred to his own integrity, not because he was sinless but because he had a right relationship with God.

No one except Jesus Christ has been sinless, free from all wrong thoughts and actions.

Take your troubles to God in prayer

All of us, like Job, need to make some changes in our attitude toward God. We must obey God to the best of our ability at all times and in all aspects of our life.

The next time strong emotions threaten to overwhelm you, express them openly – take them to God in prayer. God will help you gain an eternal perspective on the situation and give you greater ability to deal with it constructively.

Do not forget that Satan will always work to get you to forsake God. Your suffering may not be the result of your sin, but you must be careful not to sin as a result of your suffering.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Job Chapter 7