God is Faithful
Daily Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 14-16
Daily Focus Passage: Ezekiel 16
Ezekiel 16 describes the relationship between God and his people through the image of marriage. This illustration notes the covenant made between the Lord and the people. Unfortunately, the people rejected the Lord and broke the covenant. He describes the people as playing the role of the harlot who chased after the pleasures of the world and dismissed their covenant agreement. Yet, through this act of unfaithfulness by the people, the Lord remained faithful because he remembered the covenant and promised it to be everlasting. Thus, God is faithful.
COVENANT BREAKING HARLOT
The people played the role of the harlot in their relationship with the Lord. They entered the covenant with God, promising to remain faithful to him and his ways. Yet, the people chased after the pleasures of the flesh and this world. They attempted to declare faithfulness with their lips but chased after the material of this world in their heart. They broke the covenant agreement and allowed their heart to turn away from the Lord.
When we consider the people's rejection of the Lord and their role of harlotry, we must evaluate our personal lives and assess if we remain faithful to the Lord in our covenant agreement with him. Do we chase after the things and people of this world? Have we abandoned the first genuine love for the pursuit of many false loves? Would the message of Ezekiel reach into your life today?
COVENANT KEEPING GOD
Despite the unfaithfulness of the people. The Lord remains great in faithfulness. He keeps his promises and his covenants. He does not reject his responsibility or chase after other things. Ezekiel warned the people of the punishment coming because of their role as the harlot while also speaking about the great faithfulness of the Lord. Despite the dire situation caused by spiritual harlotry, hope appears because of the steadfastness of the Lord.
Today, we must remember that the Lord is great in faithfulness and honors his covenant. Yes, our disobedience may be moments of punishment and struggle. Yet, the Lord remains faithful and true. His love is longsuffering, and he continues to call us to himself. The faithfulness of God provides great hope. God's covenant faithfulness opens up the avenue for forgiveness to occur. We must learn to hold firmly to this eternal truth.
