Daily D – Ezekiel 18:23, 32

by David Bowman | Sep 1, 2022 | Daily D | 0 comments

Ezekiel 18:23 “Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?” (NIV)

Ezekiel 18:32
“For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!” (NIV)

“I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn back and live!” (NLT)

—

God is less interested in your just demise and more interested in your full and meaningful life. You’ve had it your way; how about trying his better way?

There is a popular misconception about God strongly reinforced through popular culture across the ages of God sitting on clouds and throwing lightning bolts at rebellious sinners. He is portrayed as waiting for one of us to get out of line so that he can zap us. If that were true, our funerals would be over and our graves marked.

Remember this about warnings of judgment in the Bible: They are warnings. Judgment does not have to be the final word. We can choose life. We can choose the ways of life. We can live full and meaningful lives and help others do the same. This is what God wants. Take a look at what Jesus said in John 10:10:

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (NIV)

When God told the people of Ezekiel’s day to repent and live, he invited them into the positive alternative to judgment. He invited them to step away from the edge of death and destruction and into life worth living. His invitation is still open.

Choose life.

—

I will join Team Life.

—

Our Father, I joyfully receive your invitation to a full and meaningful life. I step into the light. I want to live, really live. Amen.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

CONNECT WITH ME!

Interested in learning more about Church Unique or Life Younique? Send a note through the Get In Touch box or Message me through the Facebook link above.

GET IN TOUCH!

READ MY BLOG!

Daily D – Psalm 119:1-8

Psalm 119:1-8

“Joyful are people of integrity,
who follow the instructions of the Lord.
Joyful are those who obey his laws
and search for him with all their hearts.
They do not compromise with evil,
and they walk only in his paths.
You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully.
Oh, that my actions would consistently
reflect your decrees!
Then I will not be ashamed
when I compare my life with your commands.
As I learn your righteous regulations,
I will thank you by living as I should!
I will obey your decrees.
Please don’t give up on me!”

Daily D – 2 Kings 20:16-19

2 Kings 20:16-19 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Listen to this message from the Lord: The time is coming when everything in your palace—all the treasures stored up by your ancestors until now—will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord. Some of your very own sons will be taken away into exile. They will become eunuchs who will serve in the palace of Babylon’s king.”

Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “This message you have given me from the Lord is good.” For the king was thinking, “At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime.”

Daily D – John 16:33

John 16:33 “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Daily D – John 16:19-22

John 16:19-22 Jesus realized they wanted to ask him about it, so he said, “Are you asking yourselves what I meant? I said in a little while you won’t see me, but a little while after that you will see me again. I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.”

Daily D – John 15:12-13

John 15:12, 13 “This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”