Read Ezekiel 7:14-27
Ezekiel’s heart must be breaking to hear of the desolation and despair that will befall his beloved homeland. Thankfully, there will be survivors who manage to escape to the mountains. They will look back with remorse, “horror and shame will cover them.”
It sounds like these escapees will finally come to the realization of what they had done. However, it is too late for them. God will turn his back on them so as not to watch them be plundered and defiled. All that had brought joy and pride to these people will be gone forever.
Can you picture the devastation from Ezekiel’s description? Not a pretty sight, to be sure. Makes me think of some of the scenes I’ve seen recently on the news. It’s spring in the United States, and it seems like tornados are tearing across multiple states every day.
The last town where my husband and I lived before moving to Mexico had been hit by an F5 tornado only a few years before we started pastoring there. Everyone had a story of how that fateful day had impacted their lives. The scars were deep and memories vivid. Ezekiel’s words from God speak of a devastation even more intense. Why? Because God’s was not present.
When we go through the storms of life and it seems our lives are turned upside down, we have the assurance we are never alone. I can’t imagine going through a tragedy without knowing that I am being held by my Savior, my God.
I know we’re walking through the judgment section of Ezekiel, but let’s focus today on God’s promise to never let go of us. One of my favorite songs from singer songwriter Matt Redman is “You Never Let Go.”
I’ve taught this song using Spanish lyrics to my little orphan girls, and it’s one of their favorites. They’ve lived through some pretty horrific things, so these words comfort them. Here’s a peek at the lyrics to the chorus.
… Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me
Let’s pray. Thank you, LORD that you never let go of me. It calms my heart in the face of danger or uncertainty. I pray that I never anger you like the Israelites did. I never want you to turn your back on my because of my intentional sins. It breaks my heart to read about how they ignored you and disrespected you.