November 22, 2006 - Ezekiel 18-19 and James 4
One of the worst tendencies that people have is to blame God for things that happen. Often, they end up saying that God made a mistake or that God was not fair in His dealings. Of course, this is ridicules. God always acts in a righteous and fair way toward all of us. It is just an example of how humans do not want to take responsibility for their own actions, so they want to blame someone else.
Ezekiel 18 is an extended explanation of God's fairness. The people complained that He was not fair, but God was and is always fair. Each person is held accountable for his own sins and not for the sins of anyone else. What people need to do is to quit blaming God and to repent of their sins.(v.21) Then, they should ask God for a new heart and a new spirit, before they die in their sins. (v.31) In other words, the problem is with our own hearts, not with God. Don't blame Him for our problems.
Ezekiel 19 is another parable about how Israel could have been a great lion or a fruitful vine, but they put their trust in other countries, instead of in the Lord, so they came to nothing. They had no strength and no fruit. There was so much potential, but such a terrible ending to it all. God does not want that to happen to us. He wants us to learn from Israel's example, so that we will live up to our full potential for His glory. I hope you will put your full trust in the Lord.
James 4 sounds a lot like Ezekiel. He refers to their adultery. (v.4) They were going after the world and their own lusts, instead of God's will. They were judging each other in a critical way. They were thinking they could foretell the future. Only God can do that. What did God say to them and to us? Humble yourselves. Trust Him and not this world. Turn to Him and resist Satan's influences. Then, God can lead you and answer your prayers, because they come from a heart that is looking to Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 20-21 and James 5.
Ezekiel 18 is an extended explanation of God's fairness. The people complained that He was not fair, but God was and is always fair. Each person is held accountable for his own sins and not for the sins of anyone else. What people need to do is to quit blaming God and to repent of their sins.(v.21) Then, they should ask God for a new heart and a new spirit, before they die in their sins. (v.31) In other words, the problem is with our own hearts, not with God. Don't blame Him for our problems.
Ezekiel 19 is another parable about how Israel could have been a great lion or a fruitful vine, but they put their trust in other countries, instead of in the Lord, so they came to nothing. They had no strength and no fruit. There was so much potential, but such a terrible ending to it all. God does not want that to happen to us. He wants us to learn from Israel's example, so that we will live up to our full potential for His glory. I hope you will put your full trust in the Lord.
James 4 sounds a lot like Ezekiel. He refers to their adultery. (v.4) They were going after the world and their own lusts, instead of God's will. They were judging each other in a critical way. They were thinking they could foretell the future. Only God can do that. What did God say to them and to us? Humble yourselves. Trust Him and not this world. Turn to Him and resist Satan's influences. Then, God can lead you and answer your prayers, because they come from a heart that is looking to Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 20-21 and James 5.