The right measure - Lent 7

 

Our friend Ezekiel is really giving the people of God a huge wake up call with his messages, isn't he? Chapter 7 continues along this very harsh and depressing route, but I managed to find some interesting verses towards the end of today's chapter. Ezekiel speaks:

Calamity upon calamity will come,
    and rumour upon rumour.
They will go searching for a vision from the prophet,
    priestly instruction in the law will cease,
    the counsel of the elders will come to an end. (v.26)

What immediately came to mind is how sad it must have been that God withdrew his presence and 'voice' from his people. It seems a hard thing to do, but the people were not listening in any case, so God silenced the prophets, withheld inspiration from the priests and stopped the counsel of the elders. The people were left to their own means, which is what they had in effect chosen for themselves.

This leads us to reflect on how blessed we are to live in places where we are able to read the Word out in public meetings, worship services and small groups. There are some places in the world, where there is still massive persecution for anyone who claims to be a Christian. 
So let us give thanks for this privilege today.
 
²⁷ The king will mourn,
    the prince will be clothed with despair,
    and the hands of the people of the land will tremble.
I will deal with them according to their conduct,
    and by their own standards I will judge them.

“‘Then they will know that I am the Lord.’”

This last verse of today's chapter sounds a lot like Jesus' words in the Gospel of Matthew, where he challenged his disciples about judging other people.

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. ² For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Lent is a time of reflection and honest appraisal of who we are in the light of Christ. Let us be wary of judging others, as the measure we use will be used to judge us too.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

2 Chronicles - a great promise

The book of 2 Chronicles is not one we often turn to when we are looking for the Promises of God, yet it contains one of the most well known passages in the Bible. These words are as appropiate in today's world as they were when they were written. The contain a wonderful promise, as well as a poignent reminder for us to follow God's ways.

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. ¹⁵ My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place. ¹⁶ For I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be holy—a place where my name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart. - 2 Chronicles 7:14-16

I am not sure if you have noticed that last line before? Read it again - it is wonderful!


I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart. 

God says that we are dear to his heart! That is something to cherish today. Believe it and be blessed by it!

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Fire warning

"If you play with fire, you can expect to get burnt!"

I heard this saying again today and it was pretty good timing. You see the Weather Bureau sent out a Fire warning (today), asking people to be extremely careful with fires - the weather conditions are 'perfect' for fires to spread and cause major destruction.

The Bible can act as a fire warning sometimes too. God shows his care for us, in trying to steer us away from harm. God knows that if we begin to play with 'fire' then there is every chance we are going to get hurt. Sadly, many of us don't listen to his advice and we go ahead with a own plans. In the end, we still come back to God and complain that we got burnt.

"My son, pay attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my words of insight," - Proverbs 5:1

"Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning." - Ecclesiastes 4:13

"To whom can I speak and give warning? Who will listen to me? Their ears are closed so they cannot hear." - Jeremiah 6:10

Let's be aware that 'fire' can be a dangerous thing. It can harm us, as well as others we love.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Speed up, there is a Zebra crossing ahead!

As I was driving home this evening, I drove passed the Liberty Mall and noticed a scary thing. It seemed that as all of the motorists in front of me, saw the Zebra crossing (with the patient guy standing at the side of road), they simply sped up. The poor guy was about to step in the road, but he realised that he would have been toast, so thankfully stepped back onto the pavement.

So, as I got to the crossing and slowed down for him to cross, he looked at me as if I had just saved his life - yet, all I had done was obey the traffic law. Wow, we are so bad at obeying these laws in South Africa!

I share this with you, not because I am a good person, but rather to remind us that sometimes God asks me to slow down, but I 'speed up' instead. Speeding up, when I should be slowing down, is not only dangerous for me, but it could harm others too.

Are you approaching a Zebra crossing in your life?
If you are, then be aware of your speed.

God bless you.

Living in grace
D3LM3