June 22, 2024

Passage Read: Ezekiel 4-7
Meditation Verses: 7:2-4

Thought

Judgment begins with the people of God. How can He righteously judge the nations for their abominations if He let's His own people get away with worse things (5:6)? He will judge the nations that have plundered His people, even though they did so at His command. But first He must judge His own people and punish them for their rebellion and adultery and wickedness. It will result in a remnant returning to Him, ashamed of their ways, repentant and ready to do His will. Israel will be purified of all their rebels, and only the repentant righteous will be left. The same is true for the Christian Church. The Lord will send disaster on us, to punish us for how we have profaned His name and distorted His ways. We will be humbled and the rebellious among us will be purged. His people will be purified, and then He will deliver them and turn and punish those who punished us. "Judgment begins with the house of God" (1 Peter 4:17).

Application

If I want to be counted among those who are ultimately saved, then I need to discipline myself to walk in God's ways and honor Him in all I do. I may be pummeled, but I'll be purified. I know hard things are coming, that much I am prepared. But it's not about who can endure to the end, but who is completely given over to obeying and honoring the Lord, according to His Word, not according to the flawed ideas of supposedly spiritual people.