Ezekiel 23 -- What God Was Going To Do To Get Their Attention

God told a story of two sisters, who presented Samaria (the capital of Israel) and Jerusalem (the capital of Judah).  He described in terrible ways how they had both traveled to Egypt in their youth and become prostitutes with the Egyptians before returning to the Promised Land and becoming prostitutes there for other nations as well.  The story actually describes their spiritual adultery, when they left God for the idol worship that other nations around them practiced.

As I was reading, God seemed to lead me to wonder what it would have been like to be in Jerusalem at that time, hearing all this about my nation, and that was really saddening.  Then I began to think about how any sin separates us from God, and as I read on my heart was saddened by the fact that this story, from God’s point of view, could describe His heartbreak as He sees any of us committing sins against Him.  As Christians, we are the bride of Christ, and therefore any sin amounts to spiritual adultery.  It’s not often that I’ve stopped and really understood that.

In verse 27, God said, “I will put a stop to the sinful life you began … so that you will not desire it or remember it anymore.”

I found myself longing for that to happen in my own life.  Those pet sins that each of us seem to harbor, that we almost cherish and don’t want to give up, that draw us away from God regularly – what would it be like not to desire them anymore?  It would be relief.  And it would draw us closer to God.

Father, please put a stop to sin in my life that draws me away from You.  I’d love to not desire it or even remember it anymore, instead basking in Your love for me!

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford