SOAP 08/30/2014; Ezekiel 9:4

Today's reading: Ezekiel 8, 9, 10, 11; Revelation 4

S) "⁴ The Lord said to him, 'Go through the midst of the city, even through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations which are being committed in its midst.'"

Ezekiel 9:4 (NASB)

O) This comes to us in the middle of the vision Ezekiel was given, of the wrath of God, and the destruction poured out in Jerusalem. Before sending out six destroying angels (vv.1-2), God has a seventh who receives the above instruction. The LORD is forever faithful. His desire is to find people with whom He can show Himself merciful. Just as in the first Passover, before the Exodus, and just as in Sodom, with Abraham pleading for Lot's family, the first action of our Father God is to look for someone to redeem. Notice, God didn't even say to look for righteous people. He knew that the sins of the people were great. He was looking for someone who was grieved by sin. Notice that this isn't an example of moral relativism, though. This is pass-fail. This test had a low bar, but God still had a standard to receive this mark.

A) Through Jesus, we have the forgiveness of sins, cleansing of the guilt, and righteousness of the Christ placed upon us, through faith. While there is still temptation to sin, and in fact failure to resist that temptation, there is also perfect forgiveness. God calls us to be holy as He is holy, but knows that sin will still be a stumbling block, sometimes often. So, I strive to walk in purity, but when I fall, I repent and get back up and come back to my loving Father. What God wants, then, is to see that struggle, that striving, against sin. When I fail, I hate it. I hate when I lose a fight to sin. I groan over my own abominable sins. I sigh a heavy, heart-sick sigh when I choose sin over His glory, because hindsight is 20/20, and I can clearly see the foolishness of my forfeit. Thankfully, the mark that is upon me, as a believer in Christ Jesus, that mark is The Mark, the seal of the Holy Spirit upon me (see Ephesians 1:13).

P) Father, forgive me for my sins. Strengthen me in my fight to honor Your grace and mercy. Guide me with the Holy Spirit, to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel, worthy of my Lord, according to Your Word. Let me bear Your mark, and honor You in humble submission to Your will . In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 08/29/2014; Ezekiel 4:14

Today's reading: Ezekiel 4, 5, 6, 7; Revelation 3

S) "¹⁴ But I said, 'Ah, Lord God! Behold, I have never been defiled; for from my youth until now I have never eaten what died of itself or was torn by beasts, nor has any unclean meat ever entered my mouth.'"

Ezekiel 4:14 (NASB)

O) This has a complexity to it that was a little bit hard, at first. So, Ezekiel was told by the LORD, to eat bread that was baked over human dung. The above verse was his response. Then, following this, God tells him to instead use cow dung. That still seems gross, but at least manure actually has other applications in today's society (a la fertilizer). Using it for fuel is certainly... less revolting... than human excrement. My first thought, based on Ezekiel's plea, was concern that God had actually asked him to sin. However, when I read back through the Pentateuch (albeit brief), I couldn't find anything that mentioned this was against the Law. Granted, I don't need anyone to tell me that eating something cooked over burning human poop is going to be unclean, I think that part is actually cleared, by the letter of the Law. Although, I will concede that I could be wrong. In which case, this becomes an issue more along the lines of Abraham and Isaac. In either case, Ezekiel's concern is addressed and the LORD gives him some relief.

A) The plain nastiness of this verse certainly stood out to me, but also the principle of it. The LORD asked lots of people, in lots of places, to do lots of hard things. It's not often, though, that the Bible shows us an example of one of His servants questioning His command this way. I think in our culture, we sometimes think that if God wants us to do something, and we don't immediately jump to do it, then we lack faith. Or, if God wants us to do something, we should not be allowed to wonder about it. To be clear, I do not, at all, believe that the commands we are given in the Bible, particularly in the New Testament, are open to debate. However, this verse makes it pretty clear, that God does not want us to sin, and if we are questioning what God might be answering through prayer, because we're concerned that it could be sin, then that is an absolutely biblical process of consideration. The Bible is the final authority on God's will for our lives (see 2 Peter 1:3), so I should always come back to the Word, to verify, clarify, validate, and authenticate anything I think God is telling me (in prayer) to do.

P) Father, I want to be used however You want to use me. I am committed to Your sovereign will, LORD. Open my eyes to see, and my ears to hear, so that I know Your answer when You give it. Help me to be disciplined through prayer, to ask and await Your answer, God. I humbly confess that I am fallible, and unable to perfectly hear Your words. In every response I perceive in my prayers, Father, let me take them back to Your written Word. Give me the courage and perseverance to study Scripture thoroughly, to honestly seek validation and truth, and not what I myself want to hear. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 08/28/2014; Ezekiel 2:1-2

Today's reading: Ezekiel 1, 2, 3; Revelation 2

S) "¹ Then He said to me, 'Son of man, stand on your feet that I may speak with you!' ² As He spoke to me the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet; and I heard Him speaking to me."

Ezekiel 2:1-2 (NASB)

O) By the chapter, you can see this was early in Ezekiel's prophetic days. He had just seen, in chapter 1, a confusing, alarming, even terrifying vision. He sees 4 angels, barely describable, whirling around beneath the throne of God Himself, hurling lightning and fire, with scary faces, and loud rumbling voices, etc. To say that he was a little shaken-up would be a given. However, the purposes of God, Ezekiel's mission-call, had no time dawdling. God told him to stand, but clearly he wasn't obeying (yet), because God puts His Spirit within him, and brings him to his feet. Falling on his face hardly made him unique. Most people in the Bible had a similar response to encounters with God or His angels. Often times, there was a following assurance not to fear. In this case, though, God skips all of that to simply put Ezekiel back on his feet.

A) When I first read these verses, I immediately thought of my children. From time to time, when my kids are in front of me, and I begin to tell them any kind of hard news (that it's bedtime, they need to clean something, they are in trouble, we have to leave someone else's house to go home, etc.), they will immediately flop onto the couch/chair/ground. This is not a good response to adversity. I tell my children to stand back up, or else I lift them back to their feet when time is of the essence, until I'm finished and they go to task. So, why is it, that when I sometimes go to my Father God, I flop? Not always physically, but sometimes my heart flops to my spiritual floor (my stomach?). God doesn't want floppers, and in light of verses like Hebrews 4:16 and 1 John 2:28, I have no cause for fear or shame, or flopping. Now, that isn't to say I should be flippant, but those aren't the only options. I should still humble myself (see James 4:6) and possibly even tremble at times (see Philippians 2:12). But, these are not the same as flopping. My salvation is secured, so I should approach the LORD, my Father God, with humility of self and confidence in the gospel.

P) Father, I'm sorry for being floppy. When satan tries to speak lies at me, accusing me, trying to make me flop as I approach You, remind me of all these truths, Father. If need me, let the Holy Spirit stand me up! I want You to speak to me, so if I must stand to hear You, let me stand! Open my ears to hear Your voice, and my eyes to see Your words. I want to be used for Your purposes, Your mission. I stand before You, willing, but let Your will be done. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 08/27/2014; Jeremiah 52:10-11

Today's reading: Jeremiah 52; Psalm 143, 144; Revelation 1

S) "¹⁰ The king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and he also slaughtered all the princes of Judah in Riblah. ¹¹ Then he blinded the eyes of Zedekiah; and the king of Babylon bound him with bronze fetters and brought him to Babylon and put him in prison until the day of his death."

Jeremiah 52:10-11 (NASB)

O) Either one of these events is horrific by itself, either seeing your children slaughtered, or being physically blinded. But, when you consider the fact that the last thing Zedekiah saw, was the tragic killing of his own children, that brings the trauma to a whole new level. Many times, when someone refers to the last thing a person saw, it's because the person died immediately after seeing the thing. But not here. Zedekiah lives after this. But, the last memory he has through his eyes, the last thing he witnessed, sensing visibly, was the death of his sons, and then he lived afterward. How many times did he see this replay in his mind? It would be hard enough to forget under any circumstance, but at least under other conditions, your eyes would see other things afterward. This is a horrifying penalty. However, it is very important to remember that this tragic end was not the result of an evil conqueror. This was a sovereign move of the LORD against the king of Judah, for the rebellion against his God, and because he refused to listen to the word of the LORD, the prophecy of Jeremiah, calling him to repent and submit to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon.

A) This was a severe punishment, to be sure. But this came after years and years of a nation's rebellion, and the king was guilty on many levels, for leading the entire nation into idol worship... However, I cannot be tempted into moral relativism. Furthermore, after the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, there is a misguided tendency to think God has changed, somehow. This verse can serve as a warning, about what it actually can cost, to rebel against the LORD and refuse to listen to His warning. God's wrath has not disappeared. However, because of what Jesus did, that wrath is no longer on us, the believers, His children. The wrath, the justified, perfectly righteous judgment, like the one described in the verses above, was taken from me, and put on Jesus Christ (see Romans 5:8-10). So, what was once considered just a horrifying warning, becomes an astounding opportunity to understand the scandalous grace and immeasurable mercy I have received, because of the compassionate nature of my Father God.

P) Father God, I am humbled to know the depths of Your justice and righteousness, as shown by the measure of Your wrath, which reveals the magnitude of Your grace and mercy. I have been guilty, like Zedekiah, but instead of Your wrath being upon me, it was miraculously put on Your Son, my Lord Jesus Christ. Let these truths penetrate my heart, to convict me when I sin, to direct me when I am tempted, so that I am reminded of the stakes at hand. Let Your will be done. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 08/26/2014; Jeremiah 50:24

Today's reading: Jeremiah 50, 51; 3 John

S) "²⁴ I set a snare for you and you were also caught, O Babylon,
While you yourself were not aware;
You have been found and also seized
Because you have engaged in conflict with the Lord."

Jeremiah 50:24 (NASB)

O) The LORD simply does not lose. Not only that, but He also does not ignore those who war against Him, even when they themselves do not realize what it truly happening. This verse comes within the prophecy of Israel and Judah being restored, through the remnant that will be preserved. Great destruction was prophesied against Babylon, but they didn't see it coming. Babylon, like many who rebel against the LORD now, did not realize that they were in conflict with the Almighty. But, their destruction still came, because aware or not, they were engaged in conflict with Him, and that will not go unnoticed or unpunished.

A) In many ways, this reflects my life between 18 and 25. When I was in High School, I was aware that I needed God because of what was happening to me. I needed to be saved from circumstances, from life. When I became an adult, eventually I realized that I needed God because of my own destruction. I don't simply mean for the forgiveness of sins, but because the results of my conflict with the LORD was beginning to manifest itself in my life. I always knew that my sins could send me to hell, but I was beginning to see that my rebellion against God was causing significant problems in my life, here and now. This verse is really a caution and reminder, that being in conflict with the LORD is nowhere I want to be. Sometimes, though, the conflict is hard to perceive from my perspective. Then I pray and ask my Father God to reveal my heart to me, especially through the Bible (see Hebrews 4:12).

P) Father, You are sovereign and good, all-knowing and all-powerful. You deserve praise and worship and obedience, simply because of who You are. Open my eyes and ears, to know and fear You more. Show me the condition of my heart, especially as I read Your Word. Whatever the cost, I never want to be in conflict with You. Jesus paid the price for me to be reconciled to You, Father. I want to live out my life honoring that sacrifice, that redemption. Thank You for the grace in my shortcomings. Thank You for the mercy in my sins. Let Your sovereign will be done in my life. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 08/25/2014; Psalm 79:9

Today's reading: Jeremiah 37, 38, 39; Psalm 79; 2 John

S) "⁹ Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name;
And deliver us and forgive our sins for Your name’s sake."

Psalm 79:9 (NASB)

O) This Psalm comes as a lament over the invasion and destruction that came to Jerusalem. Asaph cries out to the LORD, here, and appeals to Him for the sake of God's own name. Like I wrote yesterday (about Jeremiah 33:2), God has a name. He is alive, specific, and holy. He is separate from every other claimed god, and people throughout history have recognized Him through His relationship to His people, who bear His name. The point of this verse, in particular, is that the salvation of the LORD benefits the saved, but is ultimately for His glory and renown.

A) By claiming to be a Christian, I am taking upon myself the name of my God in Jesus Christ. As such, my salvation - with everything that means in my life - should glorify Jesus Christ, my Lord and savior. If people look at my life, and cannot see anything different in me, how does that reflect on my the Lord I claim, in Christ? No, the difference in my life should be easy to see. Through trials, I should boast in Him (see 1 Peter 1:6-9). Through victories, I should humble myself before Him (see James 4:10). I should put myself last, in order to be first, being a servant to all (see Mark 9:35), and I should be wary when many start speaking well of me (see Luke 6:26). I should fear no penalty of man (see Matthew 10:28), no danger in creation (see Mark 16:17-18). Through it all, there should be joy upon me, easily seen (see 1 Peter 3:15). These are some of the fundamental ways that people should see the salvation of the LORD upon me, to recognize the gospel effect on my life. My salvation is not for the end result of my own relief, ease, or peace, but to glorify Jesus Christ.

P) Father God, to You belongs the glory. In every way, let my life bring glory and praise to Your name alone, LORD. Be gracious to me, that through me, despite my failings, Your gospel may be seen through my life. Thank You for the salvation given to me, for what it means to me, but thank You also for using my salvation to reach others. If my life may be used for Your glory, let it be so. Let Your sovereign will be done in my life, with my life. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 08/24/2014; Jeremiah 33:2

Today's reading: Jeremiah 33, 34; Psalm 74; 1 John 5

S) "² “Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it, the Lord is His name,"

Jeremiah 33:2 (NASB)

O) Jeremiah was on a sort of political house arrest, and he received another message from God. This short verse, though, working as an introduction, struck me for a peculiarity. Three times, before Jeremiah actually got to the words which the LORD spoke to him, three times Jeremiah used the name of the LORD. Specifically, he used God's name, "Jehovah" or "Yahweh" or most directly, "YHWH" (which, in most English Bibles, is translated to LORD - capital letters). This is the translation of God's name, "I am" as He spoke it to Moses at the burning bush (See Exodus 3:14). At the time Jeremiah was speaking (and throughout most of the Bible's timespan), there was no such thing as an atheist. Virtually everyone acknowledged at least some god, so the Israelites had to differentiate that theirs was a living God, the only true God, and His name was the LORD. At the same time, God Himself also distinguished Himself from the other gods often, and would name Himself to punctuate that He was different. This verse, introducing a word of prophecy, names God three times in a single sentence. It's not just any "god," it is the LORD.

A) Lately, it seems that we've re-entered an era where many, many non-Christians are claiming to believe in "god." They might even claim a god with a capital "G" to reflect their monotheism. Seeing this recent influx of "spiritual" people, referring to "god" openly and often, makes me quite uncomfortable, as it seems more and more pointed that they are not talking about Jesus. By extension, when they say, "God-" this, or that, they are not talking about my God, even if they use a capital "G". Consequently, more and more, lately I have been wary of using the word "God" - even capitalized - in favor of saying, "the LORD" or even simply using the name of Jesus, which is powerful in its own right. There is only One God, and He has a name, and I intend to use it.

P) Father God, LORD, Jehovah, blessed be Your name. Give me boldness to specify, to proclaim Your name above all names. Let me proudly refer to my savior Jesus by His name. Let me wear His name as my badge, as an honorable mark, to be know as a Christian because I declare the Lordship of Jesus Christ over my life. When others see me, and hear me, and know that I name You, LORD, let them perceive to know, that I am not speaking of some esoteric mythical being, but I am speaking of their Creator. You are the only One God, You have a name, and I intend to use it. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.