I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I am back to a routine. It is not the same as my old routine, but I think it will work out well. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.
After giving prophecies to each of Judah’s neighbors telling them how the fall of Jerusalem will spill over on to them, Ezekiel gives an extended prophecy concerning Tyre. He talks about Tyre’s wealth and its trading empire. Reading this prophecy, I can easily fit the United States into his description of Tyre. He talks about how Tyre built up its riches by wisdom, honest dealing and honoring God. Then he tells them that their riches and successful commerce led them to sin. This, also sounds like the United States to me. Ezekiel was prophesying that it was too late for Tyre, God’s judgment was going to fall on them and it could not be turned aside. Let us pray that such is not the case for the United States. Perhaps if those of us who strive to serve the Lord, stand in the gap and call on our countrymen to turn to God, there will still be time. Let us call on the Spirit of God to strike the hearts of our neighbors and convict them to turn from their sins. Even if it is too late to turn aside God’s judgment, perhaps some of our neighbors can yet be saved, if only we will be faithful and point them to the living God.
The writer recounts how Abraham acted by faith by taking Isaac to sacrifice him to God, even though God had told Abraham that it was through Isaac that the descendants God had promised Abraham would come. Abraham had faith that God would and could honor His promises even if Abraham sacrificed Isaac. God showed Abraham that He would indeed honor His promises by providing a substitute for Isaac. The writer goes on to tell us that Isaac, Jacob and Joseph acted by faith. Joseph had such faith that God would lead the children of Israel out of Egypt in the future that he commanded that they take his bones with them when they left. It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him to save him from Pharaoh’s decree.
It was by faith that Moses rejected the privilege of being the son of Pharaoh’s daughter and chose instead to be share the oppression of God’s people. Are we willing to reject the pleasures of sin that our culture offers and accept the scorn and ridicule (and perhaps persecution) that it heaps upon those who choose to follow God? Do we have the faith to approach an obstacle like the Red Sea believing that God will move it aside so that we can walk through on dry ground? Do we have the faith to do something like march around the city of Jericho for seven days praising God? Even when such action makes no sense as a means to our goals? Do we have the faith of Rahab to protect a servant of God when our neighbors are seeking to destroy them? Are we willing to stand with the people of God against the animosity of our friends and neighbors?
Do we have faith to stand in the gap?
Let us praise the Lord. I thank the Lord every time I meet with His godly people, or at least I try to. Let us trust in the Lord and know that He is good. He provides for those who love and serve Him. His commands are trustworthy and forever true. Let us obey Him faithfully and with integrity. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. IF we follow His commands we will grow in wisdom from this beginning point. Do you wonder why you are not growing in wisdom? Perhaps it is because you are not following what the Lord has revealed to you that He wants you to do. I know that this happens to me from time to time. Or perhaps you have forgotten how fear inspiring the presence of the Holy God can be.
Today’s proverb tells us that a quarrelsome wife is as annoying as a constant dripping. The fact of the matter is that this is true of anyone who complains incessantly. Be aware of this and don’t be a someone who is always complaining.