The Lord Who Proves Himself
This morning we took the grand kids to Northern Colorado Rehab Hospital for a stroke awareness event. It was their first time to the hospital when grandpa wasn’t a patient. It was good to see many of the staff members from my time as an resident patient and outpatient. One of those was Danielle, the nutritionist, who watch over my care during my time in acute care as well as in the rehab side of the hospital.
After that event and some rest (at least for me) and lunch, we headed to our neighborhood swimming pool for the first time this season.
I did receive a call from my sister about a health crisis with my mother. So, it looks like I will head to Denver, while Debbie takes care of the grand kids and waits for Christian and Bridget to arrive.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Then they will know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 36:38
As Ezekiel speaks God’s word of judgment and redemption, the prophetic emphasis that is most often found is, “then they will know that I am the Lord.” As a matter of fact it is found fifty times in the book.
We see it in prophetic words of judgment, such as:
“They will know then that I am the Lord, I did not threaten in vain to bring this calamity on them.” Ezekiel 6:10
“Then they will know that I am the Lord, when I have made the land a desolate waste because of all the detestable things they have done.” Ezekiel 33:39
We see it in prophetic words of restoration, such as:
“They will know that I am the Lord, for though I sent them into exile among the nations, I will gather them to their own land, not leaving any behind.” Ezekiel 39:28
“….I will show all the nations that I am great and that I am holy. They will know then that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 38:23
Throughout the time of the history of God’s people; the Lord consistently and miraculously revealed Himself to His people. He did it in the lives of the patriarch’s; He did so in the judgments against the gods of Egypt during the exodus; He did it in the victories over enemies and the provisions in the wilderness to bring them to the promised land.
Yet for all that, the allurement of other “gods” and rebellion against the Lord became the plague of generations until the Lord allowed nations more wicked than they were to take Israel and Judah into captivity. God used this time of captivity to get their attention and then restore them to their land.
He once again revealed His power and sovereign rule over nations, to accomplish His purposes for His people. It was all so that they would realize that, “He was the Lord” and that they would serve Him from pure hearts of devotion. The words of Elijah ring throughout time, “If the LORD is God, follow him..” (1 Kings 18:21)
God’s people fell into the mindset of many today. That is one in which they viewed the Lord from a perspective of idolatry, with the attitude, “what have you done for me today?!” The attitude is one that views people as the highest order and those to be served. But throughout time the Lord God shows Himself as the sovereign Lord over all nations and people. His ways are beyond comprehending, and He is to be worshiped, followed and obeyed.
Embracing “God as the Lord” of your life brings comfort in times of trouble and confidence for living life in times of uncertainty. He doesn’t change, nothing takes Him by surprise and He knows you and your future.