Sin Makes God Sad

Read Ezekiel 13 to find out for yourself the consequences of being a false prophet.  God continues to  plow down every false act these wicked men had been performing.  But consider these statements He makes in regard to His people,  His compassion toward the wicked, and His intention toward them all.

First, His love and concern toward His children: "You disheartened the righteous with falsehood when I did not cause him grief..."  v. 22
Second, His desire for the wicked: "[you] have encouraged the wicked not to turn from his wicked way and preserve his life" v. 22
Lastly, His promise and protection: "I will deliver My people out of your hand.  Thus you will know that I am the LORD." v. 23

I would say in the words of a child, "Sin makes God sad!"  But He will have the final Word: "I AM THE LORD!"  Let us be encouraged that God hates when we are disheartened, He wants the wicked to turn and be preserved, and He will deliver us from the enemy!

"Ravage the Ruins"

Ezekiel, chapter 13 is a clear-cut warning to false prophets.  We've never been without them.  They are nothing new.  And they are saying nothing new.  In fact, God says they are saying "nothing".  So why do people listen to them?  Because like the false prophets, they are deceived.  And while God took action on those prophets discussed in Ezekiel, those today have the need to heed this insightful warning!

 God says in verse 2: they "prophesy from their own inspiration, 'Listen to the word of the LORD!'"  About this God says, "WOE!"  He calls them "foolish" and He says they are "following their own spirit and have seen 'nothing'".  Then God tells Israel that "the prophets are like foxes among the ruins." (v. 4)  A fox is described as devious, sly, scheming, shrewd, deceitful, duplicitous, mischievous and destructive.  None of those characteristics describe anyone I would like to be following for my spiritual growth.

 If the fox refer to the prophets, then the "ruins" would be the follower.   Not a good description of the man who claims to be spiritual!   And verse 4 says "foxes among ruins".  So the fox here is ravaging something that is already ruined.  NOT GOOD!  You look at the masses of people today following false prophets and apply this description, well it's like Jesus said about the Pharisees: "white-washed tombs full of dead men's bones".

As believers, we must pray for the eyes of the deceivers and deceived to be opened while they still have the breath of life.  But let us not embrace as brothers those deceivers who "prophesy from their own inspiration".  May God bless them with "the truth that will set them free".   Then He will clean up their ruins and build on the Foundation of Jesus Christ.  To God be the glory for His cleansing Word!

Eternal Excuses

Years ago in my young Christian walk, I read a book on prayer.  (I would like to give the author credit but cannot remember who it is.)  I remember very little about the book but one statement has blasted my memory multiple times a year: "Satan will give you an excuse for every day for the rest of your life to keep you from praying."  He would rather you read the Word, listen to preaching or serve in the church but he does not want you to pray.  He knows the battle is won through prayer.

All this came to my mind yesterday as I was vacuuming in the afternoon.  It hit me that my time with God had been interrupted that morning and I never got back to it.  I had many burdens to be praying about and began thinking of them as I vacuumed.  I thought, "I'll go pray after I vacuum."  Then the above quote came to mind.  I put down the vacuum and went to my room to pray, immediately.  But it wasn't that easy!  As I began to pray, I began to think about the quote and how I ought to put it on the Truthlet blog.  My mind went off course with what I would say (probably only for about a minute but still a diversion).  How quickly the enemy began to steer me from purpose.   But even in his ventures to steer us off course, he actually substantiates the effectiveness of prayer.   He is showing by his vehement attacks that great good is wrought with faithful praying!  PRAISE GOD for His Divine intervention through the prayers of His creatures!

As I write this I am looking at a picture of Daniel in the lions den.  The lions surround him with "mouths closed" as Daniel engages in prayer!  "Be of sober spirit; be on the alert.  Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  But resist him..."  1 Peter 5:8-9a