Where is Your Hope?"

O. T. #1921  "Where is your Hope?"

April 13, 2021

Ezekiel 33

LET IT GLOW

There are more notable verses of encouragement found in Psalm 37:

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor His seed begging bread. (verse 25)

Wait on the LORD, and keep His way, and He shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. (verse 34)

But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: He is their strength in the time of trouble.  And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him.(verse 39-40)

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and He delights in his way.  Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with His hand. (verse 23-24)

The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. (verse 31)

Child of God, you are not forsaken. Are you waiting on your Lord Jesus to work in your situation? Delivery and strength and help is coming your way. Are we trusting in Him and trusting in Him? Are we watching where we are stepping? Our God is holding us with His hand. Is His law in our heart?

LET IT GROW

We finished the predictions of the outcome of nations that were round about Israel. Now in chapters 33-48, we see the glory of the Lord and His coming millennial Kingdom. Jerusalem was destroyed as the said it would. Ezekiel did a good job in pointing out their sins, need for repentance of idolatry, and coming judgment. Ezekiel's messages were then turned to those Jews in captivity (in Babylon). Before, they had no hope because of their sins. But in the future, Ezekiel sees hope for the children of Israel. It rested no upon philosophies, false gods, but upon the Word of God and what He said would take place in the future. Israel was moving toward a New Jerusalem, as they are now.

What is Ezekiel likened unto here? He is called the watchman of a city. It is mentioned 3 times (verses 2,6,7). In the Hebrew language, watchman means to lean forward; to peer into the distance; to observe; await; behold; wait for; keep the watch.

The duties of a watchman were to protect the walls, to watch for invaders from the top of the wall all during the hours of darkness. Ezekiel had been a faithful watchman who:

• was warning that the enemy, Babylon, was coming.
• continued to warn his people, even though they would not listen.
• obeyed what God told him to say and do for 7 years, so those people who did not heed, their blood was not on Ezekiel.

What was the hope for those in captivity?

• God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked, and their sin could be forgiven. (verse 11)
• If the wicked turned from their wickedness (repented), then did what was lawful and right, they would live. (verse 19)

Dear one, judgment is coming for those who do not ask God to forgive their sins, now while living. If they do not, then they will pay for their sins in hell for eternity. If they do, then Jesus will forgive them of their sins and cleanse them of all unrighteousness. See, our righteousness is as filthy rags, so we need to be covered in the blood of Jesus when we stand before Holy God after we die. Jesus has paid the price for our sins so we don't have to. Such love! Have you done this? Are you covered with the blood of Jesus? Our hope is in Jesus, not our works, not in Mary His mother.

LET IT GO

Help us to be faithful watch men and women, proclaiming hope in Jesus.

But salvation of the righteous is of the LORD... (Ps. 37:39)