The Hound of Heaven

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 32

I will trouble the hearts of many peoples. (Ezekiel 32.9)

Devotional Thought: After we had moved to western Illinois, I began noticing something I had never seen before: loudspeakers mounted high on poles throughout the countryside.  Realizing what they were - tornado warning sirens - I was both troubled and comforted.  Troubled that such a thing was needed but comforted that an early warning just might save the lives of Amy, Lana, and myself.

Our consciences are like that - both troubling and comforting.  Who of us wants to be troubled with questions of morality when we are doing something we enjoy?  Nothing like a little guilt to ruin the party, right?  But what would our world be like if the voice of honor fell silent, if - in the words of Paul - our "consciences are seared"?  What would hold back the base and cruel impulses of human nature?

Through the prophet, God told the haughty Egyptians that he would "trouble the hearts of many peoples." Through the rest of Ezekiel 32, we read how the Assyrians, the Elamites, the Sidonians, and others will be dismayed by the destruction of Egyptian success.  Such prophetic words doubtless troubled the hearts of the Egyptians.  They probably thought, "I could have gone all day without hearing that!"  We often feel the same way when we are warned about the results of our destructive behavior.  But God knew then - and he knows now - that we need the warning.

Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would convict us of "sin and righteousness and judgment" (John 16.8).  When we are troubled by the conviction of the Spirit, let us also be comforted by the fact that "The Hound of Heaven" is still on our trail!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that you are the hound which follows "the fleeing soul by His Divine grace. And though in sin or in human love, away from God it seeks to hide itself, Divine grace follows after, unwearyingly follows ever after, till the soul feels its pressure forcing it to turn to Him alone in that never ending pursuit." Amen. (J.F.X. O'Conor)

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 45.8-17

8 your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;

9 daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor; at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.

10 Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear: forget your people and your father’s house,

11 and the king will desire your beauty. Since he is your lord, bow to him.

12 The people of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts, the richest of the people.

13 All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold.

14 In many-colored robes she is led to the king, with her virgin companions following behind her.

15 With joy and gladness they are led along as they enter the palace of the king.

16 In place of your fathers shall be your sons; you will make them princes in all the earth.

17 I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore nations will praise you forever and ever.