The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Ezekiel 33-36
Act 2: God’s Covenant People
Scene 8: Exile: God Disciplines His People
Background Information: Ezekiel 33-36
God’s will for the nations does not preclude individual human choice. Every man and woman is able and responsible to choose. What we have done in the past does not take away our present responsibility and opportunity to choose to obey God. The unrighteous can still turn and be saved today. Those who have acted righteously in the past cannot trust in their past; they must choose today to follow the Lord. Clearly God does not delight in the destruction of the wicked. He desires that people repent of their sin and live. (Ezekiel 33:11, 1 Timothy 2:4). God’s righteousness precludes him from simply letting bygones be bygones. Our sin must be appropriately dealt with and not simply ignored. A criminal justice system that either overpunishes or underpunishes crimes does not take treating human beings with the seriousness they deserve. We are image bearers of the Living God. Our choices matter; they are not predetermined by either our genetics, our environments, or what has happened to us in the past. We are not like the animal world. We have instincts, but we are not ruled by them. Individual choice is an important focus for Judah now. The time for a national choice to avoid judgment has passed. Jerusalem has finally fallen. There in Babylonian exile, Ezekiel receives the unsurprising, but still terrible news that the inevitable has happened. Now, only the poorest of the land were left to keep the ravaged country barely functioning for their new masters. Even these few, after all they had seen, still clung to their idols. Human shepherds (leaders) have all failed, but God is not done with his errant children. Yes, judgment has rightly come, but he will bring a good shepherd who will not fail. Every day, it seems, a shepherd’s catastrophic failure is discovered and made public. A pastor, a political or business leader, or a parent’s secret sins do not stay hidden, and the individual is brought down. The impact of these falls is devastating for all who live in the orbit of these leaders. God raises up shepherds for the thriving of others; their good and righteous choices help raise others up to better lives. When these shepherds fall into sin, they drag others down with them. Once again, we must remember why teachers (leaders, shepherds) are liable for a more severe judgment. (James 3:1). Do not run from leadership if it’s what God has called you to. Do not run to it for selfish reasons. There is much at stake for everyone concerned. You will not be a perfect leader, but you must be a continually repentant one. God’s kindness leads us to repentance, for our good, His glory, and the good of others.
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Pray for Commons. Ask God to strengthen the community among young adults in our church. Pray that Commons would be a community of people that connects with others for the sake of the gospel.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.