Day 322: Ouch

Ephesians 2; Ezekiel 6-7; Isaiah 40

There is a very dangerous idea in this statement in Ephesians: "He (Satan) rules the world and his spirit has power over everyone who doesn't obey God." So EVERYONE who is not a follower of Jesus is under the control of the Devil and his schemes. You are either under God's blessing and protection, or you are the Evil One's tool. Ouch. No wonder there is so much hatred, abandonment, selfishness, brokenness, persecution, abuse in our world. Because if we are not living for Christ, trying to serve, love, honor, help, then we are being used to tear down and hurt. When put this way it seems that it puts my life as a believer on an epic scale. Being a follower is not just about putting offering in the plate, donning church clothes, and attending services. It is about fighting for the world, battling for goodness, striving to save people's lives (physically and spiritually).

Ezekiel is bleak: "Dead bodies and bones will be lying around the idols and the altars." The people had fallen so far away from God, had chosen to abandon the living God for idols made by themselves, and God had had enough. They would suffer death as they worshiped their idols. I can't help but think of the alcohol and drugs as one of these idols, around which the dead are strewn. But there are more idols than just substances and money. Dying families, wasting away because of the absence of love and instead, the desire for better positions, careers, paychecks. The beings of abandoned children are everywhere: I see them in the classroom everyday. It is so sad. While Ezekiel was talking about Israel and not America, the similarities seem obvious. And not just here, but around the world.

So how should we feel about sin? Because I think sometimes we take our sins lightly, especially if we are one of those "good" or "better than" people not using drugs or abusing alcohol or having an affair. "All of you will moan because of your sins. Your hands will tremble, and your knees will go limp. You will put on sackcloth to show your sorrow, but terror will overpower you. Shame will be written all over your faces, and you will hang your heads in despair." Wow. That's how broken I should be when I sin against our Holy God. So often I take sin so lightly. There have been a few times I have wept over my sin, but there are many things I ignore.

And then we turn to Isaiah, filled with encouragement about who our God is. He is the Ultimate Conqueror, Gentle Shepherd, All Powerful Creator, Wisest Sage, Complete Provider. Nothing or no one can compare with him!