S) "9 Then those of you who escape will remember Me among the nations to which they will be carried captive, how I have been hurt by their adulterous hearts which turned away from Me, and by their eyes which played the harlot after their idols; and they will loathe themselves in their own sight for the evils which they have committed, for all their abominations."
Ezekiel 6:9 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Ezekiel 6
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Ezekiel 6
O) This verse speaks a number of truths about God. For one, it shows us that His preserving grace abounds. Just like He spared some from the flood (Noah's family), or how He spared some from Sodom (Lot's family), so He also spared some from the annihilation that came during the exile of both kingdoms, Israel and Judah. It's noteworthy, also, that this grace is also founded in mercy. This remnant saved differed (perhaps) from Noah or Lot, because this remnant was certainly guilty and deserved the same destruction that came upon their countrymen. We also see in this verse, the way God intends for us to respond to His lovingkindness and compassion, that it would lead to repentance. But, what stood out the most in this verse, is the characterization, that God is actually hurt by our idolatries. We know that He is a jealous God, but the concept of hurting God seems unsettling. Make God angry? Sure we can. Make God jealous? Yeah, we see that plainly. Make God feel hurt? That has heavy implications.
A) Perhaps the biggest, most notable difference in my life, between living a rebellious life or a life submitted to the lordship of Christ, is that I didn't care much about how God saw my sins when I was rebelling against Him. But, when I repented and still fell into sin, my immediate reaction was regret. It wasn't that I was afraid God would smite me. I wasn't afraid I was suddenly unsaved. I regretted it because it felt the same as when I sinned against another person. I don't think I ever would have thought to use the word "hurt" in context with my sin against God, though. Certainly, I have sinned and hurt my wife. I have sinned and hurt my brother. Those type of things I immediately regretted because I love these people and I knew that sinning against them hurt them. When I would sin against God (and really, every sin is borne from some kind of idolatry of the heart, which is sinning against God), I would feel like I did when I sinned against people, but I never connected it as directly, as to say my sins hurt God. But, that's exactly what this verse is confirming. Every Christian knows God doesn't like it when we sin. I have always known that. But it is a new and profound thought, to know that I am hurting God when I sin.
P) Father, You are so good, so gracious and merciful, so loving. I hate that I have hurt You. I hate that my selfish, idolizing heart, causes You pain. I am full of regret, thinking about my sins this way. I do loathe myself in this way, Father. Open my eyes to see sinning this way. There is no such thing as a victimless crime. Even if my sins don't hurt people, my sins hurt You. Please forgive me for my sins against You, Father. Please continue to sanctify me. Help me to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, fully submitted to Your ways, that I would resist temptation and walk in Your righteousness. All to Your glory and by Your will. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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