Need Exceeding Joy?

O. T. #1925  "Need Exceeding Joy?"

April 21, 2021

Ezekiel 35

LET IT GLOW

We continue to find encouragement in the book of Psalms, looking at chapter 43 today:

For Thou art the God of my strength... (verse 2)

Then will I to unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise Thee, O God my God. (verse 4)

Shall not God search this out? for He knoweth the secrets of the heart. (Psalm 44:22)

Hope in God: for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.   (verse 5b)

Dear one, do you need strength today? How about some exceeding joy? Then praise the Lord God. Remember, He knows the secrets of our heart. He knows when we have been mistreated, looked over, discouraged. Luke 1:37 says, Nothing is impossible with God. So let's give Him our impossible to become possible.

LET IT GROW

Ezekiel mentions Mt. Seir, which is the land of the Edomites, who where located south of the Dead Sea and a rugged, mountainous area. The Edomites were descendants of Esau, twin brother of Jacob, who sod his birthright to Jacob for some stew. He had been a rebel at heart, then hatred set in as Jacob received the blessing of their father and the Lord through the blessings of covenant. This hatred has continued down through time.

After Jerusalem was destroyed in God's judgment by the Babylonian army, Edom gloated over their destruction. They even assisted in cutting off survivors coming from Jerusalem. Their greed caused them to desire claim to Judah and Samaria for themselves, completely ignoring the will of the Lord. But the land was meant for Jacob, not Esau, and their descendants.

The Lord saw their anger and promised to repay them, reaping what they sowed. He heard their blasphemous and rejoicing words against the Israelites. Edom would not escape judgment as they boasted in pride. One day, the whole earth would rejoice over the fall of Edom! (34:28)

Their perpetual (eternal, without end) hatred would result in perpetual desolations (waste, devestation). The land still belongs to Israel and in the future day (Millennial Kingdom), Israel would be restored. The whole earth will rejoice, and Edom will continue to be a desolate place. (Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel predicted this.) Edom would come to know that God is the Lord. We must be careful, for he who curses Israel will be cursed of the Lord.

LET IT GO

Be careful not to complain, grumble, or judge when things don't go our way.

We stand in awe and sing great are You Lord Jesus!