The pastor of the church where I went growing up preached long, strong sermons with big words. I knew they were good sermons, because my father breathed deep and my mother dabbed her eyelids.

But I didn’t understand a word, and I didn’t like him much.

One day as we were shaking hands on our way out, he looked me right in the eye and winked. As far as I knew, he’d never seen me until that moment. But after that wink, he changed for me.

Dr. Strong (his real name, wouldn’t you know) wasn’t just out there somewhere anymore, detached and preaching. He noticed me. He liked me. I couldn’t help myself–I liked him back.

It was easier to hear what he said after that.

Today’s passages remind me God’s not just out there either, immense and detached. He likes me. He likes you, too. It’s easier to hear what he says when I remember that.

Ezekiel 24-26

God told Ezekiel the news while he’s in exile with the captives from Jerusalem:  “today is the day Babylon lays siege to Jerusalem.”  Children they’ve left behind will be killed, and the temple, their treasured place of worship, will be destroyed, Ez 24:2, 21.

God’s tried to get their attention about their sin and sex perversions for years, but they refused to listen.  So he took action—many were captured and taken to Babylon.  These are those in captivity with Ezekiel.  

The ones left behind in Jerusalem will now face death and destruction, beginning on this day in time.  The temple where their lives centered will be obliterated.  What’s more, God won’t even let the exiles mourn properly. They’ll be silent; they’ll eat their hearts out; they’ll “groan among [them]selves,” Ez 24:21-24, MSG.

God says he’s run out of compassion, “I will not hold back; I will not have pity, nor will I relent.” They’ll get what they’ve got coming. And when these things happen, they’ll know who’s in charge, “…they’ll recognize that I am God,” Ez 24:14 and 24, NIV and MSG.

Eight times in these three chapters, God says this same thing: folks will finally get it about who he is. He’s bringing judgment against Israel and their enemies, so they’ll all recognize that God-is-God. It’s a resounding theme throughout the book of Ezekiel: God expects not only his people—but all people—to live his way and worship him.

Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Tyre—all these nations were enemies of Israel.  God says they celebrated when Israel was destroyed, so he’s coming against them with “huge acts of vengeance, massive punishments,” Ez 25:17, MSG.  

God doesn’t leave anybody out. His judgment of all people indicates he expects right behavior of everyone, not just his own. Why does he care that pagans live his way? Because God is God over all, and he wants God-followers of all nations, not just Israel.

God’s been all-inclusive since the Garden. He’s not put off by faithlessness. He expects fair play from people and repentance for falling short when they don’t. His judgment proves it. If he didn’t expect it, he wouldn’t bother.

But he’s not a hard-ass about it. Over and over, God lamented Israel’s faithlessness. He even wept over his enemies who rejected him, Je 14:17-18; 48:31-32, 36. The sin people choose hurts themselves and him, and he’s determined to do something about it. God’s message through Ezekiel was consistently, “Repent and live!” Never “Good riddance!” Ez 14:6, 16:6, 18:23 and 31, 33:11.

Hebrews 11:1-12

After we see who God is in Ezekiel, Hebrews comes along and says we learn we can trust him. Trust in God is “the foundation under everything that makes life worth living,” He 11:1-2, MSG.

It’s not enough to know about God. We must press on to know him personally, “Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him,” He 11:6, MSG, emphasis added.

Belief in a higher, impersonal power doesn’t cut it. Faith includes my trusting him to be involved in my day-to-day, walking-around life; my knowing God as the one who knows me; my believing God to be the One who answers prayers and speaks to me.

God likes me?

Glory be.

Psalm 110

This psalm puts Jesus at the center of God’s work–ruling and judging all people, “crushing opposition,” and reigning over the universe. It establishes Jesus’ place as God and with God and in so doing, reminds me that my place is to worship him.

Proverbs 27:14-16

Insensitive friends and nagging spouses have this in common: you want to get away from them. Be thoughtful with your words, from morning greetings to everyday conversation. Words should bless others, not burden them.

Prayer

God, you alone are Master and Commander, yet you stoop low to listen and speak to me. Let your words today convince me of your desire for me, and so increase my desire for you. Enable me to bless others with my words, not burden them. I’m glad Jesus reigns. Let me find peace in his rule.

In Jesus’ name.

Bible passages in Ezekiel, Hebrews, Psalms, and Proverbs come from today’s selections in The One Year Bible.