THE LORD SPOKE (November 9)
Daily Reflections from Scripture:
Ezekiel 13
There are two kinds of false prophets. Probably many more than that, but false prophets seem to fall into two categories. There are those that weave elaborate prophesies with much detail and never seem to care if they only get 30% of it right. Or there are those who just make one big prediction (or one big prediction at a time) and then seem to fade away.
The picture Ezekiel paints of these false prophets is not a pretty one...
- they “follow their own spirit” (Ezek. 13:3)
- they have “seen nothing” (Ezek. 13:3)
- they are “like jackals among ruins” (Ezek. 13:4) - slinking away, disappearing at the sight of reality
- “their visions are false” (Ezek. 13:6,7,9)
- “their divinations a lie” (Ezek. 13:6,7,9)
- they “lead people astray” (Ezek. 13:10)
- they talk pretty and are good at coverups (Ezek. 13:10-12)
- they say, “The Lord declares,” when the Lord has not sent them; yet they expect their words to be fulfilled. (Ezek. 13:6)
- unleash his anger against them (Ezek. 13:13)
- tear down their work (Ezek. 13:14)
- level them, their prophesies, and those who follow them (Ezek. 13:15)
This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches,
but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me,
that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 9:23-24
or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches,
but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me,
that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 9:23-24
Psalms 107-108
The fifth and final book of Psalms (Ps. 107-150) opens with a grand slam. In language and content, Psalm 107 fits with a mini-series (Ps. 104-107) which emphasizes “God’s wonderful deeds for men” (Ps. 107:8,15,21,31). It appears to be a post-exilic recitation of those who returned from Babylon, having experienced God’s protection and restoration.
Six stanzas conclude with the last two emphasizing in a more general way how God restores the “hungry” (vs. 36) and the “needy” (vs. 41). The first four stanzas have a recurring double refrain (vs. 6,13,19,28 and vs. 8,15,21,31) and emphasize perils in the desert (vs. 4-9) and on the sea (vs. 23-32), and punishment under foreign bondage (vs. 10-16) and disease (vs. 17-22).
In every case, the response is, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (vs. 1). The concluding reminder is to forever “consider the great love of the Lord” (vs. 43). If you’ve experienced it, you know full-well that it works. Reflection upon God’s goodness is itself a great means of strengthening our soul. Remembering His past acts of mercy prepare us to trust Him for the future.
The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure -
The saints’ and angels’ song.
When hoary time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race -
The saints’ and angels’ song.
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
Labels: daily Bible reading, devotional, Ezekiel 13, false prophets, love of God, November 09, Psalm 107-108
posted by Pastor Randy Cook @ 5:00 AM
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