Day 235

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The Enemies-Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia & Tyre

Scripture

August 22—Ezekiel 25-28: Judgment on Judah's Enemies

Observation

Ezekiel has spent twenty-four chapters describing the rebelliousness of God's people and the resulting discipline they are about to experience. He now turns his attention to the east, west, north and south of Judah to aim his verbal missiles of judgment at the various neighboring nations. Because their sins are as disgusting to God as those of Judah, their people will be punished in similar fashion.

Application

Pride has been called "the only disease known to man that makes everyone sick except the one who has it." Chapter 28 is the description of a proud king and what happened to him as a result of his pride. Before you dismiss these verses as interesting but impractical, consider this: Pride is perhaps the most slippery of temptations to cope with. You may not have a problem with pride, and be justly proud of it and in the process, you have just developed a pride problem!

Intelligence, beauty, money, possessions, family, position each can represent a potential danger area in your life. Notice the three proud steps of the king of Tyre that led to his downfall in chapter 28: (1) it began in the heart, when the king of Tyre let his beauty (or intelligence, or money, or position) become the focus of his life; (2) it moved to his head where his wisdom became corrupted; and (3) it ended in disaster as the king of Tyre was cast down from his privileged position. Three steps: conceit, corruption, condemnation.

Knowing those three steps, map out a strategy for dealing with a possible "pitfall of pride" in your life. (If you can't think of one, ask somebody like a spouse, relative or close friend. They'll tell you!) Identify the danger area; confess any proud thoughts to God; commit your talents to God's service; and don't let Satan's subtle scheme that tripped up the king of Tyre become your undoing as well.

Prayer

Dear God, we want to be a praying servant of you so that you can use us in your service. Whatever talent we have we don't want to act out in pride like it is something we have because of who we are, we know you equipped us with it for your glory. We want to use it to bring lost souls into your kingdom and for your glory. We need your help each day to live holy and righteous before you in using our gift to spread the Good News! We pray this in your merciful and loving name, Jesus Christ!  Amen!

Use your Talent for God!


© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business!

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