God's Ways are NOT Thwarted by Our Ways: Redemption is Extended

Scripture: Ezekiel 17:22-24

Thus says the Lord God, “I will also take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and set it out; I will pluck from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one and I will plant it on a high and lofty mountain. On the high mountain of Israel I will plant it, that it may bring forth boughs and bear fruit and become a stately cedar. And birds of every kind will nest under it; they will nest in the shade of its branches. All the trees of the field will know that I am the Lord; I bring down the high tree, exalt the low tree, dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will perform it.”

Insights: In today’s verses you will notice they are not actually in the parable.  These verses are found at the end of the explanation portion of the passage.  I mention them at this point because in these verses we find God’s redemptive hand in the midst of His judgment.  In these verses we see the true heart of our Lord and Savior.  God does not punish us because He is a capricious god, but in order to draw us back to Him.  Every thing the Lord does is for reconciliation.  The Lord is letting us know that He always has those who will respond favorably to His promptings and drawings.  It is my prayer that all people will hear and recognize the Lord’s redemptive work and respond favorably to Him.  The Scripture tells us to respond to the Lord today while salvation may still be found.  The Lord is drawing on us, let us respond favorably to Him.  May God bless you for your humble response to His grace.

Questions:

1.  In what ways is the Lord extending His grace and redemption to you right now?

2.  Is there any good reason you can think of that would prevent you from receiving the Lord’s grace of redemption?

Prayer: Father, Your love constantly overwhelms me.  Thank You for your redemption which You extend to the world.  May we all respond favorably to Your grace.  Amen.

God's Ways are NOT Thwarted by Our Ways: Judgment is Carried Out

Scripture: Ezekiel 17:6-8

Say, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Will it thrive? Will he not pull up its roots and cut off its fruit, so that it withers—so that all its sprouting leaves wither? And neither by great strength nor by many people can it be raised from its roots again. Behold, though it is planted, will it thrive? Will it not completely wither as soon as the east wind strikes it—wither on the beds where it grew?”’”

Insights: In today’s verses we find the Lord’s judgment on king Zedekiah for his rebellion against the Lord’s will.  Remember, the Lord is the One who sent Babylon to come and pass judgment against Judah.  King Zedekiah, however, courted Egypt to partner with him against Babylon.  King Zedekiah did not realize, or better stated, refused to believe he was not rebellion against Babylon, but the Lord and His will.  As a result, the Lord sends Babylon back to remove king Zedekiah from his position.  Beloved, there are times in our lives in which we think we know better than the Lord.  When we choose to believe we know better than the Lord, we are setting ourselves up for discipline from the Lord.  It is a lot easier if we skip this step and just follow after the Lord and His ways.  I promise you, your life will be much richer and happier if you choose the Lord and His ways.

Questions:

1.  Are you currently experiencing the discipline of the Lord in your life?

2.  How long are you willing to bear up under the discipline of the Lord before you repent and submit to the Lord’s ways?

Prayer: Father, I know my ways are not going to thwart Your judgments.  Help me, Lord, to not attempt to fight against You and Your will.  Let me walk in your grace.  Amen.

Our Ways are Foolish compared to God's Ways

Scripture: Ezekiel 17:6-8

Then it sprouted and became a low, spreading vine with its branches turned toward him, but its roots remained under it. So it became a vine and yielded shoots and sent out branches. “But there was another great eagle with great wings and much plumage; and behold, this vine bent its roots toward him and sent out its branches toward him from the beds where it was planted, that he might water it. It was planted in good soil beside abundant waters, that it might yield branches and bear fruit and become a splendid vine.”’

Insights: In today’s verses of the parable we see a second eagle come on the scene and this vine reach out to it and try to make a place for it to nest.  This second eagle represents the nation of Egypt.  This vine represents king Zedekiah.  What has taken place is Zedekiah has been given his reign from king Nebechudnezzar and instead of recognizing that this was all a part of God’s plan and His ways, Zedekiah attempts to change the situation.  He sends a delegation down to Egypt to seek a relationship with them and have them help him revolt against king Nebechudnezzar.  King Zedekiah also stops send his tribute to the man who put him in power.  Beloved, we are often times just like Zedekiah.  We are facing a situation and we don’t like how it looks or feels.  Instead of turning our face toward the Lord, we attempt to solve our problem all on our own.  We chase after everything the world tells us is the answer and I promise you it will always end in disaster.  Tomorrow we are going to learn the specifics to king Zedekiah’s choice to court Egypt and to rebel against Babylon.  Until then, let me encourage you to run to Jesus and not to solving your problem in your own power.  I want you to also think about one last thought regarding our suffering.  How long do we have to go through suffering for the suffering to be too long?  In other words, how long did Israel have to remain slaves to Egypt before it was too long?  How long did Joseph have to remain a slave and a prisoner before it was too long?  How long did Jeremiah have to remain in a pit before it was too long?  How long did Abraham have to wait for a son before it was too long?  We do not think with eternity in mind and the sooner we do, the better we are able to coupe with the difficulties in which we suffer.  Trust in the Lord always, His plans are just.

Questions:

1.  Are you attempting to solve your problems your way?

2.  Have you come to realize the futility of such an adventure against the Lord and His ways?

Prayer: Father, forgive me and be gracious to me I pray when I choose to walk my own path for a time.  Let me sense Your Spirit’s calling on my heart and let me quickly return to You.  Amen.

God's Ways are Higher than Our Ways

Scripture: Ezekiel 17:1-5

Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, “Son of man, propound a riddle and speak a parable to the house of Israel, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “A great eagle with great wings, long pinions and a full plumage of many colors came to Lebanon and took away the top of the cedar. He plucked off the topmost of its young twigs and brought it to a land of merchants; he set it in a city of traders. He also took some of the seed of the land and planted it in fertile soil. He placed it beside abundant waters; he set it like a willow.

Insights: This passage this week is a parable.  In today’s verses we see the eagle, which is Babylon, come and take a sprig and plant it beside waters.  The sprig is king Zedekiah of Judah.  Now the point I made in regards to this parable was that God’s ways are higher than our ways.  Judah thought they were at the top of their economic and social game when Babylon had invaded them.  They could not understand why the Lord had allowed this to happen.  Another prophet says of God’s word that God was going to do something in their day that if He had told them, they would not have believed.  That thing God did was to allow an evil and wicked kingdom, like the Babylonians, to take Judah into captivity.  None of this made sense to them.  Beloved, there are times in which we go through things that we don’t understand why God has allowed it to occur.  In those moments, we must come to accept the reality that God knows exactly what He is doing and He knows what is truly best for us to be shaped and molded into the image of Christ Jesus.  Trust the Lord and His plan.

Questions:

1.  Are you currently facing a trail or difficulty that does not make sense to you?

2.  Have you begun to question whether God’s ways are right?

Prayer: Father, I know Your ways are always right and just, but sometimes I doubt and struggle in this world.  Lord, help turn my heart to You and to trust in Your amazing grace.  Amen.

All Ministry is at Times Fearful

Scripture: Ezekiel 2:6-7

And you, son of man, neither fear them nor fear their words, though thistles and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions; neither fear their words nor be dismayed at their presence, for they are a rebellious house. But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious.

Insights: The final point this week is all ministry is at times fearful.  There is no command the Lord gives more than fear not.  Throughout all of the Old and New Testaments the Lord is constantly having to tell His children to not be afraid.  It is, therefore, very reasonable and accurate to say that at times in ministry it is fearful.  Three times in today’s verses Ezekiel is told not to fear.  I think it is pretty clear that Ezekiel was a little bit nervous about his assignment the Lord had just commissioned him to do.  The issue is not the fear.  Rather the issue is what are you going to do with that fear.  Are you one who will allow the fear to paralyze you?  Are you one that will turn that fear over to the Lord and be honest with Him and let Him know of your fears?  Or are you the great pretender and you act to the world as if everything is okay, but down deep you are full of ulcers because of your great fear that is eating you up from the inside out?  Beloved, we as Christ-followers need to learn how to turn our fears over to the Lord.  To allow Him to take those fears away and to empower us through His Spirit to accomplish His tasks as He sees fit.  It is not always easy, but it is always worth walking through our briars, thorns and scorpions for the Lord’s glory.  My prayer is you will this day allow the Lord to overcome your fears.

Questions:

1.  Are you currently facing an assignment from the Lord that is causing you to fear?

2.  Have you taken your fears to the Lord?

Prayer: Father, in all honesty I often times get scared in the ministry.  In fact almost every time a share the gospel one on one I get scared.  You, however, Lord have never left me nor forsaken me.  You have always empowered me by Your Spirit and compelled me to walk in obedience.  I have not always chosen to walk faithfully with You, but when I have, it has always been rewarding and well worth all my personal anxiety.  Amen.

All Ministry is Surrounded with a Choice

Scripture: Ezekiel 2:5

As for them, whether they listen or not—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.

Insights: The fourth point this week is all ministry is surrounded by a choice.  Notice that phrase in today’s verse, “whether they listen or not.”  In that phrase there is the implication of choice.  In other words, these people have the choice to listen to Ezekiel’s message or they have the choice to reject his message.  The choice is before them.  The same is true for us as well.  Even down to our salvation, we have a choice.  We either will choose to receive Jesus as Savior and Lord or we will reject Him and spend eternity in the Lake of Fire separated from His love.  The same is true regarding ministry.  We will either choose obedience and walk with the Father in the areas He commands or we will rebel and walk outside of His will for our lives.  His love for us, however, always extends a choice.  Beloved, if the Lord is telling you to share the gospel with someone, you have the choice of obedience or disobedience.  Let me tell you from personal experience, obedience to the Lord is always better.

Questions:

1.  Have you chosen to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior?

2.  If you have, have you chosen to follow Him in regards to the ministry He has assigned to you?

Prayer: Father, it is my hearts desire to choose You.  I am so grateful You have given us each free will and the choice to choose You or reject You.  May my life reflect obedience to You and a desire to grow in Your grace.  May my choices bring You honor and glory.  Amen.

All Ministry is Fought Against by Satan

Scripture: Ezekiel 2:3-4

Then He said to me, “Son of man, I am sending you to the sons of Israel, to a rebellious people who have rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day. I am sending you to them who are stubborn and obstinate children, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’

Insights: The third point this week is all ministry is fought by Satan.  Now you may be reading today’s verses and saying to yourself, “I don't see Satan mentioned anywhere in these verses.”  You would be correct in a technical sense, but let me ask you a question.  Who do you think wants the people to be rebellious, revolting, obstinate and stubborn?  Do you think the Lord God wants this for His people?  The answer is a resounding, “NO!”  The advisory, the devil, is the one who wants to fight against the things of the Lord and to influence people to be this way toward the Lord.  It is important for us as Christ-followers to keep this third truth in mind when we are doing ministry.  There are days in which Satan is more volatile than others.  There are days he does not even seem to bother us as he is setting us up for his next onslaught.  No matter what tactic Satan uses always remember this reality: Satan in inconsequential in comparison to the Lord God.  God will allow Satan to attack us in order to mold and shape us into men and women who are completely dependent upon Him.  We ought not be surprised by these attacks.  If, however, you are anything like I am, then no matter how much head knowledge I have on this subject, I still get surprised by Satan and his fury against me.  Beloved, follow my words and not my example on this one.  Resist the devil and run to the Lord.  Let Him, the Holy One, strengthen and empower you in this battle against Satan.  The Lord God is your only chance for victory in each of these fights.

Questions:

1.  Has the enemy assaulted your ministry in resent days?

2.  Are you allowing his evil tactics to hinder you from being obedient to the Lord?

Prayer: Father, I know the Satan hates You, me and Your redemptive plan to save humanity.  I know as a result of his diabolical hatred that he fights and attempts to destroy Your works.  Help me Lord to run to You and give me the courage to resist the devil.  O’ Lord, I truly do not want to be found as a rebellious individual against You.  Amen.