Monday, November 5: Ezekiel 10-12, John 16~ by Pamela

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezekiel 10-12, John 16

This stood out for me:

12 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, who have eyes to see, but see not, who have ears to hear, but hear not, for they are a rebellious house.

We live in a rebellious house (society). We live in a world of grey instead of truth and lies (black and white). When you watch the news or hear of the ways that people are choosing to live in opposition to God it is easy to see that some people have had their eyes closed and the ears refuse to listen to the truth. We live in a rebellious house.

28 Therefore say to them, Thus says the Lord God: None of my words will be delayed any longer, but the word that I speak will be performed, declares the Lord God.”

You know how you eagerly wait for something.... the anticipation and the planning and the waiting. It seems like while you are waiting that it takes forever for it to come. Yet when the event is over, when you look back on the waiting it can seem so short. One day Jesus will return. He promised that He would and He keeps His promises. While we wait, the anticipation and the planning and the waiting seem to be taking a LONG time. However, I think that when Christ returns it will seem like it hasn't been that long.

I felt like this was a connection to the NT readings:

21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 

When a mother is waiting for her baby to arrive she waits with eager anticipation. During the labour, it may seem like this baby will never arrive! When it finally does, all the waiting, all the anticipation, and all the pain are worth it. We are waiting for Christ to return and some days are full of pain. However, one day all that will be worth it and we will experience a joy as never before. We know how the story ends:

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ezekiel 13-15, John 17