November 3rd | Ezekiel 21

Growing up, my brother and I were very active children. We would jump on furniture, throw balls throughout the house, and wrestle every time we had a chance. In all of our excitement, we would inevitably break things or hurt each other. In these moments, we would get a scolding from our mom. “Don’t do that again, be more careful next time, etc.” These were fine, but as we got older, the admonishment from mom usually went in one ear and out the other. Over time, we became calloused to Mom’s discipline because it wasn’t really effective. But my mom had one phrase that would quickly straighten us out and put us back on the right track. “Just wait till your dad gets home.” 

Dad meant business. Dad didn’t play games. Dad would take off his belt if needed, and we would act right. In Ezekiel 21, the people of Israel had lived for years, disregarding the Lord's admonishment. They lived as if there would never be any consequences for their idolatry and sin. However, we now see the terrifying reality that the Lord will not withhold judgment forever. At some point, judgment comes on sinners, and it is horrifying. 

Ezekiel 21:1-3, “1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, set your face toward Jerusalem and preach against the sanctuaries. Prophesy against the land of Israel 3 and say to the land of Israel, Thus says the Lord: Behold, I am against you and will draw my sword from its sheath and will cut off from you both righteous and wicked.”

The most comforting thing in the world is to know God is with you and for you. But the reverse is equally the most frightening thing in the world: the Lord is against you. We live in a world today that thinks the Lord will never bring judgment. We assume that Jesus is soft spoken, gracious, a pushover. We can live as we want and never have to face any punishment for our sins. We shrug it off and say, “God will understand.” If we read our Bibles, we must realize the devastating punishment for sin and seek to find salvation in our Savior rather than persisting in our sin. 

Ezekiel 21:7, “7 And when they say to you, ‘Why do you groan?’ you shall say, ‘Because of the news that it is coming. Every heart will melt, and all hands will be feeble; every spirit will faint, and all knees will be weak as water. Behold, it is coming, and it will be fulfilled,’” declares the Lord God.” 

Hearts will melt, spirits will faint, knees will buckle at the mighty judgment of God. When we come to grips with God’s hatred of sin, we realize how desperate we must be for a Savior. When we see the gravity of our sin and God’s fierce judgment, we treasure the cross much more. 

Jesus told a story about a man who had two debtors, one owing 500 denarii and the other 50. The man forgave both of them. When Jesus asked Simon, who was hosting him, which debtor would love the creditor more, Simon correctly answered, "The one, I take it, for whom he forgave more". When we understand the wrath we have been rescued from, it changes everything. Our worship is more vibrant, our walk with the Lord is deeper, and our passion to reach the lost is intensified. Today, recognize the terrifying wrath of God and let it lead you to worship our great rescuer, Jesus Christ.