Ezekiel 33:10-11

Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.

Bible Reading

“Son of man, say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what you are saying: “Our offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away because of them. How then can we live?”‘ Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?’

– Ezekiel 33:10-11

Devotion

It is quite obvious from these verses that God does not get some perverse pleasure in judging sinful man. Isaiah said that judgment was His “strange” work. God wants to save all men and urges all of us to turn to Him and accept life. This is the same thought that Peter expresses in 2 Peter 3:9, “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” God is patient and kind and desires for all to experience the abundant life that only He can offer. In the end, it is God’s kindness that leads us to repentance. (Romans 2:4)

The Big Question

Where does this thought come from that God is this angry deity who receives great pleasure from punishing the wicked? Sometimes our view of God is not accurate and this has a negative impact on how we relate to God. Have you viewed God this way? How does the above scripture shape your view of God? Will you relate to God differently as a result of today’s revelation?

Conclude your time in prayer and silence reflecting on what God revealed to you today.