Many
times over, in these chapters of Ezekiel, the words are repeated,
“They will know that I am the Lord.” We must view the events of history
in relation to God. He is fulfilling His purpose. He is demonstrating
that He is the Lord. The demonstration of His Lordship is seen in both
judgment - “Egypt will become a desolate wasteland. Then they will know that I am the Lord” (Ezekiel 29:9) - and salvation - “On that day I will make a horn grow for the house of Israel ... Then they will know that I am the Lord” (Ezekiel 29:21). The judgment need not be final (Ezekiel 29:13-14). The salvation is not without the reminder of past sin (Ezekiel 29:16).
In both God’s judgment and His salvation, we see God’s love and His
holiness. Scripture speaks of both “the grace of God” and the call to
holiness - “without holiness no-one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14-15).
We receive God’s Kingdom with thanksgiving, rejoicing that it “cannot
be shaken.” We receive His Kingdom “with reverence and awe”,
acknowledging that “our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28-29). We rejoice in the Lord - “The Lord has done great things for us.” We pray for renewal - “Restore our fortunes, O Lord” (Psalm 126:3-4).
Psalm 48:1-14 Lord, we worship You in the place of worship – “Within Your Temple, we meditate on Your unfailing love.” Help us to go out from there, and play our part in seeing that Your praise “reaches to the ends of the earth” (Psalm 48:: 9-11). How will other people know of Your love, if we don’t tell them? How will they find their way to Your House, if we don’t invite them? When we share Your Word with others, help us to remember Your promise: “My Word … will not return to Me empty, but will … achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).
Comments
Post a Comment