Today’s reading: Ezekiel 14:12 -16:63
My selection: Ezekiel 16:62-63
I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall know that I am the Lord, that you may remember and be confounded, and never open your mouth again because of your shame, when I atone for you for all that you have done, declares the Lord God.”
My reflections: In vivid and grotesque images, unparalleled in all the Bible, God describes to Israel their sin. This sin is not merely neglect of God’s law but a rejection of His mercy and love which was poured out on them. They took God’s gifts and used them to sin against Him. Facing obliteration, they benefited from His kindness, but gave Him no thanks or worship. Indeed, they glorified other gods. This is the depiction of spiritual adultery. It is a painful thing to contemplate. Yet this is what “God’s people” had done. It is what you and I have done.
The only solution for them is for God Himself to atone for their sin. God alone is able to make a sacrifice sufficient to cover such horrendous evil. This is precisely what He did in sending the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who took upon Himself the sin of God’s covenant people.
My challenge: Have you seen the pervasiveness of your own sin? Have you grieved over your spiritual adultery before your Creator? Do not think your sin is less abhorrent than that of the ancient Israelites. Remember how you have been drawn away from the Lord by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. You might ask, as Charles Wesley did:
Depth of mercy! Can there be Mercy still reserved for me? Can my God His wrath forbear, Me, the chief of sinners, spare?
The answer to that penetrating question is a resounding YES! Yes, because God, who is rich in mercy, has Himself made an offering for sin which completely satisfies His wrath against you. Repent and believe. Trust in the only offering for sin that can atone for you. Do not let guilt for forgiven sin rob you of your joy in Jesus Christ. Rejoice in the Savior you trust, the One who bought you with His blood.
Tomorrow’s reading: Ezekiel 17:1-19:14
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