From His Mouth.
Ezekiel 33:7 - "I have appointed you a Watchman for the house of Israel; so you will hear a message from My mouth and give them warning from Me." Ezekiel is appointed a watchman for the House of Israel to give them warning that they will never find peace apart from God, going their way. "They come to you as people come, and sit before you as My people and hear God's Words, but they do not do them, for they do the lustful desires expressed by their mouth, and their heart goes after their gain." Ezekiel 33:31."Behold, you are to them like a sensual song
by one who has a Beautiful Voice and plays well on an instrument;
for they hear your words but they do not practice them." Ezekiel 33:32.
Ezekiel just spent the last eight chapters on a circuit to judge the neighboring nations in all of their doom. Now, to the children of his people, this prophet hears from God that he is a watchman for them. He is accountable to a Holy God for presenting the truth, not what they want to hear, want to gain.
What gain does my heart go after?
This moment in time, it's a "good gain" but not a "God gain."
Let any gain go driven by sinful desires.
Let the scales fall from our eyes that we may see our own ambition in ministry, in jobs, even in our own families. May we respond to the calling of God this day to live holy lives.
Hearts after God, not gain.
PRAYER FROM PSALMS
O God, turn our hearts to your Word, not to selfish gain. Psalm 119:36
"They come to you as people come, and sit before you as My people and hear your words, but Behold, you are to them like a sensual song by one who has a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument; for they hear your words but they do not practice them. "
ReplyDeleteI want not just to listen and sit under Truth teaching, but not heed the warnings, not change from the inside.
It's so easy to listen and agree with the word but not let it have its way within me.
"He sends forth His Word and heals us and rescues us from the grave!"
Lord, let Your Word transform us. Rescue us from our path of death and bring fullness of life to our hearts as we walk in Your prescribed Way.
Too many nots in that second paragraph: I meant I want to sit and listen and heed the Word, to let it have its transformational effect within me.
Delete