In my slow trip through Ezekiel, a certain theme keeps popping out at me. Over and over again, throughout each chapter, a phrase is repeated:
Then you will know that I am the LORD.
It's not so much the frequency of this phrase that grabs my attention as it is the negativity that usually comes before it.
When I think of the LORD revealing Himself to His people, I imagine Him doing great miracles, blowing people away with answered prayer, and heaping great blessings upon the faithful.
But God is not confined to my imagination.
Each time the LORD states this phrase, it's always after a prophecy of doom and destruction. War and death.
Then you will know that I am the LORD.
Famine and plague.
Then you will know that I am the LORD.
Wind and hailstorms.
Then you will know that I am the LORD.
Horror and punishment.
Then you will know that I am the LORD.
Destruction and desolation.
Then you will know that I am the LORD.
I asked Him why all the bad things, how death and destruction would draw His people back to Himself. It didn't make sense to me.
But then 9/11 came to mind. And it started to kinda make sense.
Look at our nation. We are a prosperous people with material possessions out the wazoo. We have entertainment and feasting and wealth and blessing that most of the world never sees. We have the good side of life.
And we have forgotton Him. The One our founding fathers built our nation to stand under. The One we now try to remove from every possible public place.
We are just like the people Ezekiel speaks to, with idols and rituals and sins that are detestable in His eyes.
But look at what happened on 9/11. Our country was brought to its knees.
And many turned to Him. Prayer meetings broke out all over the place and churches were packed full.
Then you will know that I am the LORD.
I don't like that it has to be that way, that it takes a major tragedy to remind people of Who He is. But maybe if we chose to remember in the first place, He wouldn't have to remind us so severely.
1 comment:
Hi Elizabeth! I was so excited when I discovered your blog and began reading. You have some wonderful truths to share, and I take great joy in reading them, especially because of the ultimate Truth who has given you the gift of expression. I am now sitting a semester away from physical therapy school at WSU (I made it in!), and I am thinking of my life of faith and where it needs to be taking me instead of leaving me. I may technologically track you down sometime for a chat. I just want you to know that you are an encouragement and a testimony. I remember the day I met you when you were at the very first Physical Therapy Open House I attended. Numbers 6:24-26!
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