Don't Ever Say That Again!

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 18

The soul who sins shall die... I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live. (Ezekiel 18.4, 32)

Devotional Thought: A popular proverb of Ezekiel’s day said, “The parents eat sour grapes and the children’s teeth are set on edge” (v. 2).  This saying was a protest—an accusation that God was being unfair by unjustly punishing the present generation for the previous generation’s misdeeds.

Ezekiel saw this adage as dangerous and destructive, because it could lead to a spirit of resignation and irresponsibility.  If fault could be placed at someone else’s feet, then those experiencing hardship or adversity could accuse God of inequity and injustice.  They could brush off any sense of responsibility for the dilemmas and difficulties they were going through.  They could view themselves as impotent and helpless and develop a victim mentality.  So, God, through the prophet, said, “Don’t ever say that again!”

How like us this is … to blame others for the hardships we’re experiencing.  Granted—sometimes people make choices that have consequences attached that wound innocent folks nearby.  We’ve all been the unwitting recipient of negative fallout prompted by someone else’s bad choice.  Children reap the negative fallout of their parents’ irresponsibility and employees often pay for their boss’ catastrophic decisions.  But quite often we try to fend off guilt and absolve ourselves of blame by pointing our finger at others and holding them responsible for the difficulties we’re experiencing.

God responded to that faulty notion by declaring an important principle: “For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me” (v. 4).  In other words, God has authority over all.  He sees all, discerns all, and will evaluate all.  For those who complained that those who came before them somehow escaped the consequences of their sin, Ezekiel reminded them that no one ever escapes the assessment and judgment of God.

John Whitsett

Prayer: Heavenly Father—how often I try to absolve myself of guilt by holding others responsible for my discomfort and difficulties.  Remind me that you see all, discern all, and will ultimately evaluate all.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 32.1-7

1 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.

4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah

5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord, ”and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

6 Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him.

7 You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah