Weeping Women

O. T. #1869  "Weeping Women"

January 27, 2021

Ezekiel 8-Part 5

LET IT GLOW

We are living in as time of difficulties and trials are everywhere effecting everyone, it seems. However, as believers in Jesus, our hope should not be for a problem-free life, for that will come when we are in heaven. Our focus should be on Jesus, who never changes. We can rest in His loving presence to get us through those trials. You know, when we trust in Jesus He can change our fear to confident trust. Even when our path is steep or treacherous, we are safe with Jesus by our side. It's the right responses, not the right circumstances that God is looking at. So letting Him guide our step one at a time brings us peace. God's abiding Presence is the best road map available.

[Resource: Sarah Young's devotional book, Jesus Calling]

Is Jesus calling you to trust Him today? When we do, then things fall into place, as we place our faith in Him. Heavy hearts become light when we soar above our troubles with Jesus.

Weeping women. Isn't it a natural response we women have when we are troubled, sad, mourn. In John 20, we read of a woman called Mary who went to the grave of Jesus and it was empty-no body. She was weeping. Then Jesus appeared to Mary and talked with her. He had risen from the dead, but not yet ascended to the Father. What a great revelation and comfort for a heavy-hearted and weeping woman!

Are you weeping over your children? Turn to Jesus.

LET IT GROW

We are continuing the visions that God showed to Ezekiel in Jerusalem:

1. First was the statue in the inner gate, that provoked God to jealousy;

2. Next was the engraved images of creatures on the inner court wall;

3 Third were the 70 elders offering incense in idol worship;

4. Now at the door of the gate of the LORD's house where the women sat weeping for Tammuz. (verse 14) We ask who this Tammuz was-he was a Babylonian deity and husband of Ishtar. After his death he supposedly became god of the underworld. Others say he was a vegetation deity. He was pictured haven died in the heat of the summer and rising in the spring. The Babylonians believed he dried up the plants in the summer, but brought new life and vegetation as he emerged in the spring. So that is who the Jewish women were worshiping and weeping for him. (Also, his worship included all manner of immorality.)

How absurd it was! They should have been worshiping the Creator and giver of life, our God.  No wonder He was angered.

LET IT GO

Our God is greater, stronger, higher than any other; our God is Healer. If our God is for us and with us, who can stop us or stand against us?

Yes, You are all-powerful, God.