We're going to look at all of Psalm 124 again, but this time in the Message Bible:
1 If GOD hadn't been for us - all together now, Israel,, sing out! - 2 If GOD hadn't been for us when everyone went against us, 3 We would have been swallowed alive by their violent anger, 4 Swept away by the flood of rage, drowned in the torrent; 5 We would have lost our lives in the wild, raging water. 6 Oh, blessed be GOD! He didn't go off and leave us. He didn't abandon us defenseless, helpless as a rabbit in a pack of snarling dogs. 7 We've flown free from their fangs, free of their traps, free as a bird. Their grip is broken; we're free as a bird in flight. 8 GOD'S strong Name is our help, the same GOD Who made heaven and earth.
This is another of the "Songs of Ascent" that would have been sung as the people made their way to Jerusalem for the celebration of the Feasts. They would remind themselves that God ALWAYS delivered them and that it didn't make any difference what their enemies would try, GOD was on their side! That is, as long as THEY stayed on HIS side! We will see in Ezekiel later that this would not be the case with them!
We begin the Gospel of John again today! This Gospel reveals so much of the heart of GOD for His people! Verses 1-4:
1 IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ) and the Word was with God, ands the Word was God Himself. 2 He was present originally with God. 3 All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being. 4 In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men.
THAT is our Jesus! GOD the SON left His glory in Heaven and came to earth as the SON of GOD! He is 100% GOD and 100% MAN! He came to bring God's LIFE to all who would believe on Him! Verses 10-12:
10 He came into the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him [did not know Him]. 11 He came to that which belonged to Him [to His own -- His domain, creation, things, world], and they who were His own did not receive Him and did not welcome Him. 12 But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His Name
That includes US! We are to continue to preach the Good News of this Gospel to everyone we meet, so that more and more people will be added to HIS Kingdom and HIS family! Here I am LORD, send me! How about YOU? Here is another song from Hillsong Kids called "Light of the World":
Ezekiel 15-16 continue with God's message to the nation and the people. Here is a good summary from the Bible Exposition Commentary:
The Prophet Ezekiel remained silent except when the word of the Lord came to him and God permitted him to speak (3:25-27). The messages recorded in these chapters were given to the elders who were seated before him in his own house, men who outwardly appeared interested in hearing God's Word but inwardly were idolatrous (14:1-3). The Lord knew that neither the elders nor the people took Ezekiel's messages seriously because they saw him as a "religious entertainer" whose words were only "beautiful music" (33:30-33). Whenever God's people turn from His Word and become satisfied with substitutes, they are indeed headed for failure.
Because the people who heard him were spiritually blind and deaf, Ezekiel had to hold their attention, arouse their interest, and motivate them to think about God's truth. One way he did this was through his "action sermons," and another way was by means of sermons filled with vivid and arresting vocabulary and intriguing imagery. In these messages, Ezekiel spoke about a vine, an unfaithful wife, and each of these images conveyed God's truth to those who really wanted to understand. These pictures and parables not only described the sins of the nation of Israel, but they also declared her terrible judgment. Ezekiel spoke to his people in the most vivid language found anywhere in Scripture, but the messages fell on deaf ears.
Don't let the warnings and admonitions from God's Word and from the Holy Spirit fall on "deaf ears" in YOUR life! Remember that everything that the Word of God instructs us to do is so that we can be always in position to receive God's richest and very, very best! It is OUR choice, God has already made HIS! Amen!
Shalom in Him!
