Today’s Reading, Ezekiel 21-22
Focal Scripture: Ezekiel 21:5 “So all humanity will know that I, the Lord, have taken my sword from its sheath — it will not be sheathed again.’”
Anger is an emotion that every human experiences. Unfortunately, for most people when they get angry they also sin. It goes to far and exposes what is deep down in the heart. I am not saying we shouldn’t have that emotion at all but I have yet to meet a person who can become angry and not sin, whether in action, word, or deed.
However, in today’s reading we see the righteous anger of the Lord. This anger is perfect and just. It is warranted against the people. Unlike us when the Lord gets angry he does not sin. The verse today should send all of us to our knees in prayer and worship. The Lord declares his sword is unsheathed and will not go back to being put away. The judgement is powerful and real.
What does this mean for us? It means we must view God in his totality. Far too often we put God in a box. We claim that God is someone who must do and behave the way we think. Here God demonstrates that sin and evil will be judged and experience his wrath.
The sobering part of this passage is that this is God’s controlled wrath. This is God showing mercy in his judgement. Jonathan Edward’s was right, it is a scary thing to fall in the hands of an angry God. If this troubles you about God’s character make sure you are getting a biblical view of God. Not the God you created for yourself.
Judgement is coming for us all. We will be judged righteous or unrighteous. As believers we will be judged for our works. The world itself will be judged. So what can we do? Submit to his authority and worship the one who is worthy. Let us be amazed and the attributes of our God.
Tomorrow I plan on reading Ezekiel 23-24
