Ezekiel 21:1-32
Lord, we read about ‘the time of final
punishment’ (Ezekiel 21:25,29). Your Word speaks to us about ‘eternal
punishment’ as well as ‘eternal life’: ‘Whoever believes in the Son has
eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not have life, but will
remain under God’s punishment’ (Matthew 25:46; John 3:36). Lord, You
love us. You sent Your Son to be our Saviour. You call us to put our
faith in Christ (John 3:16-18). You speak to us Your Word of promise -
‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved’ - and Your Word of
warning - ‘How shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?’
(Hebrews 2:3). Lord, You’re calling us to ‘flee from the wrath to come’
(Luke 3:7). Help us to turn from sin - ‘Turn away from your sins and
live’ - and turn to You - ‘Turn to Me and be saved’ (Ezekiel 18:32;
Isaiah 45:22).
Ezekiel 22:1-31
‘I looked for a man..., but
I found none’ (Ezekiel 22:30). Lord, You’re looking for people who will
be faithful in prayer. What happens when Your people refuse to pray?
Your Word leaves us in no doubt - ‘I will pour out My anger on them...,
bringing down on their own heads all they have done’ (Ezekiel 22:31).
What a tragedy! The people refused to pray - and there was no blessing
from You, Lord: ‘You do not have, because you do not ask God’ (James
4:2). Things could have been so different: ‘If My people, who are called
by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn
from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive
their sin and heal their land’ (2 Chronicles 7:14). Lord, You want to
bless us. Help us to pray for Your blessing. ‘Ask and it will be given
to you...’ (Matthew 7:7-8).
