---

Dear Heavenly Father, Praise You told Ezekiel, “The land is full of blood, and the city full of injustice. As for me, my eye will not spare, nor will I have pity; I will bring their deeds upon their heads” (Ezek 9:9–10). I worship you today for your wrath and judgment on sin. You are justly provoked to anger by wickedness, and you will by no means acquit the guilty. May all glory and honor and praise be to you, the Judge of all the earth! Hallelujah! Today in Your Word Today you told me about Ezekiel’s vision of the departure of your glory from Jerusalem. As I read, I was struck by the beliefs that were behind the people’s idolatry. First, the elders of Judah said, “The Lord does not see us, the Lord has forsaken the land” (Ezek 8:12). Rather than admitting that their bondage to Babylon was the result of their own wickedness, the elders used your judgment as an excuse to say that you were no longer around. Since you were gone, they were free to turn to other gods. The irony is that your glorious presence was right there, hovering over their heads as they burned incense to their idols. Such is the foolishness of those who think you do not see! This teaches me that if I reject your word, I will become futile in my thinking and my heart will be darkened (Rom 1:21–23). Second, the princes of Judah counseled, “Is it not a good time to build houses? This city is like an iron pot. We are safe inside it like meat in a pot” (Ezek 11:3 NLT). You had made it clear that the city would be destroyed, yet the leaders of the people were encouraging them to build homes and feel secure. This teaches me that if I allow sin in my heart, I will lead those under my authority into disaster! Lastly, the people who had been left behind in Jerusalem said to the exiles in Babylon, “Go far from the Lord; to us this land is given for a possession” (Ezek 11:15). They believed that those who had been carried into captivity were the ones being judged for sin, and they saw themselves as the sacred remnant who would be preserved and blessed. Unbelievable! This shows me that when I refuse to believe the truth, the only thing left to believe is a lie. I will end up heading straight for a devil’s hell, all the while thinking that I’m right and everyone else is wrong (cf. Matt 7:22–23). May it never be! Reflection Ezekiel had a vision of one of the greatest tragedies in human history—your glory left Jerusalem and the people didn’t even know that you were gone. The message to me? “Do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you” (Rom 11:20–21)! Request Father, I never want your Holy Spirit to leave my life the way you left Jerusalem. Help me to resist the passing pleasures of sin—may I always be obedient and loyal to you! Thanksgiving Thank you for telling me about Ezekiel’s vision. You always warn me away from the path of sin, and I want you to know how grateful I am for your faithfulness and love! In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “O Righteous God, Thou Judge Supreme” — Philip Doddridge. Meditation Verse: Ezekiel 11:19.