Know He Is God
Daily Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 29-32
Daily Focus Passage: Ezekiel 29
The prophet Ezekiel declared the warning from the Lord to the land of Egpyt. The Egyptians existed as a world power and rested in their success. They did not live according to the ways of the Lord, and they did not know the Lord. As a result, they faced the coming punishment from the Lord. As the Lord declared, through the prophet Ezekiel and Egpyt's downfall, believers can find three truths that provide us with hope.
GOD IS WORKING
The success of Egpyt might cause the people of the world to view them as living in the favor of the Lord. This belief would not be accurate because the Egyptians chose to live by the laurels of their success, military power, and worldly prestige. For the people of the Lord, this success caused a moment of questioning the Lord's work. Yet, the prophet declares that the Lord continues to work to bring forth his will even when we cannot see him at work. This truth exists because the Lord works according to his ways and character and does not work according to our plans or perceptions. We must learn to believe God is at work even when we cannot see or understand because he will carry out his will.
GOD WINS
The people of Egypt probably felt like the victors of the world. They held great power and authority. The people of God probably had moments of questioning why this reality existed. Yet, God's people must remember that the guarantee of victory exists since God is at work. God will always win. This ultimate victory gives believers the certainty that we will overcome the enemy. The truth that God wins provides clarity amid moments of confusion because we learn to rest in the truth of God's sovereignty and work. As a result, the guarantee that God wins gives believers the confidence to live in the hope of the Lord.
GOD WILL BE KNOWN
Ezekiel teaches that the Lord will be made known as he works within history. The Lord will be made known by his works. The Lord's works reveal the Lord's existence, goodness, and holiness. The Lord's working within history makes the Lord known to the world. Throughout history, we find that the people acknowledge the God of Israel as he works on behalf of his people. As the Lord is made known, he works to bring glory to himself.
When we look at the world's chaos, we must learn to rest in the reality that the Lord is working. He guarantees victory for his children and strengthens them to walk according to his ways. When can we rest in God's sovereignty and trust the Lord's goodness and work? When we consider the warning to Egpyt from the prophet Ezekiel, we must learn to live knowing that he alone is God.
