You Shall Surely Live

Today's reading: Ezekiel 17-20

But if the wicked turn away from all their sins that they have committed and keep all my statutes and do what is lawful and right, they shall surely live; they shall not die. Ezekiel 18:21 NRSV

It is interesting that the most popular musical these days is entitled "Wicked." Now I admit I have not seen it but I have heard the music. Nor have I read the book it is from. However, I find it ironic and a bit concerning that a musical with the name of "badness" is that popular.


In Ezekiel, God is promising retribution on those who have been wicked, but only on their own behalf. So, if they repent and return to God, God will forgive and have mercy on them. They will then live and not die.
I want to live. Don't you?

What sins have you committed? I am thinking of all mine right now. And I do have several!

Are we doing what is right? What is lawful? I mean, are we loving God with all that we are and loving our neighbors as ourselves?

Hmmm....maybe. Maybe not.

God, forgive us for all our sins. We list those that come to mind right here and now: ________________________________________________________________________________.
In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.


Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims

Lesson to be Learned

Abimelech came to the tower, and fought against it, and came near to the entrance of the tower to bun it with fire. but a certain woman threw and upper millstone on Abimelech's head, and crushed his skull. Immediately he called to the young man you carried his armor and said to him, "Draw your sword and kill me, so people will not say about me, 'A woman killed him.' " So the young man thrust him through , and he died. When the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they all went home. Judges 9: 52-55 NRSV

What can we learn from this passage?

Don't get too close to the tower, even if you are going to set it on fire?

Practice weightlifting because those millstones are pretty heavy? (What was it doing at the top of a tower, anyway?)

Have a contingency plan in case some woman tries to kill you - wouldn't want your manhood to be questioned after your death?

Don't try to rule through treachery - it can come back to haunt you?

Your relatives cannot be trusted?

How about this:
God will make the wickedness of the people fall back on their own heads. [See Judges 9:57]

Now go: don't hang around the bottom of towers, do get strong, don't be treacherous, do have a contingency plan and, at the very least, don't be wicked.

God, you want us to avoid wickedness of all kinds and shapes. We know that it can turn on us. We want to turn to you, instead. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Question of the day: In what areas of your life do you need to turn to God?

Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims