The Daily Word: Tuesday, November 10th, 2020
Ezekiel 21:1-22:31
Hebrews 10:1-17
Psalm 108:1-13
Proverbs 27:12
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
“Behold, therefore, I beat My fists at the dishonest profit which you have made, and at the bloodshed which has been in your midst. Can your heart endure, or can your hands remain strong, in the days when I shall deal with you? I, the Lord, have spoken, and will do it.” – Ezek. 22:13-14
When you die, you will meet God face to face. You will tell Him how you spent your life, whether in service to Him or in service to yourself. You will give an account for every moment of your life: why you did what you did, why you said what you said, and why you left certain things undone or unsaid. Sooner or later, God will “deal with you!” He will “[repay] each one according to his deeds” (Rom. 2:6).
On the one hand, that is liberating. There is such a thing as divine justice! The wicked people who seem to do whatever they want and get away with it on this earth will finally get what they deserve! Every wrong will be repaid. But on the other hand, that is terrifying. Are you really ready to face God when He deals with you? Can your “heart endure, or can your hands remain strong?” Do you really think you will be able to stand and make excuses or argue with God?
This is why you need Jesus. If you try and face God alone, you will be pulverized. You will spend all eternity paying for your sin: every mistake you have ever made, and every thing you have ever done wrong! But if you face God “hidden with Christ” (Col. 3), your face-to-face meeting with God will be a celebration instead of a trial. He will “deal kindly” with you and deliver you (Ps. 109:21)! You will be welcomed into Heaven with open arms because you relied on Jesus to get you there instead of trying to make it on your own.
You are far from perfect. But when you have Jesus, you don’t have to be perfect anymore! He took the punishment you deserve on the Cross, so that you could have His reward of resurrection life.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for the Cross! Thank You that, because I have Jesus, meeting You face-to-face will be a joyful experience and not a terrible one. I will fear You now so I don’t have to fear You then, in Jesus’ name!
© Michael D. White, 2020. All rights reserved.