Ezekiel 18-19

I am one who sees the correlation between the Old Testament nation of Israel, and the New Testament Church. So when I read Ezekiel’s lamentation for the princes of Israel, I consider what God would have us know in 2016.

Israel, and the Church, started strong. We were strong and vital, fruitful and full of branches. But the nations, the world caged us “so that (our) voice would be heard no more…” (19:9)

“It withered, and the fire consumed it.” (vs 12)

“And fire has gone out from its branch; it has consumed its shoots and fruit, so that there is not in it a strong branch, a scepter to rule.” (vs 14)

I think God would have us take stock of the strength of our army, the fruit of our lives, and ask ourselves if we are living in captivity. Are we allowing the voice of nonbelievers to shackle us?

Or is there still power in the Church to defeat our enemy? Are we voicing the Truth according to Scripture, or are we living like caged men and women, afraid to speak up?

Are people coming to the Savior because we are out there sharing the Gospel? I pray that is so.

Let’s not live like Satan’s captives. Remember, greater is God in us than that evil one who is in this world.