Tues.’s Devo - Patient Endurance

Read: Ezekiel 23:1-49; Hebrews 10:18-39; Psalm 109:1-31; Proverbs 27:13 God gave Ezekiel a parable about two promiscuous sisters, Oholah and Oholibah. Oholah stood for Samaria and Oholibah stood for Jerusalem. God married them, but they both lusted after the officers of Assyria. When they left Egypt with Moses, the people did not leave their spirit of prostitution. They brought their idols with them. *** Jehoiakim had solicited the Assyrians to ally with them against Egypt, paying them tribute every year. Then, Jehoiakim decided to stop paying the Assyrians, so the Assyrians send an army to attack Jerusalem. When Jehoiakim found out they were on their way, he tried to pay Egypt to help them. Egypt took the money but never showed up to help them. *** Righteous people would judge their sins. God listed their sins of adultery and murder as they worshipped their idols and sacrificed their children to their gods. Then, on the same day that they sacrificed their children to their gods, they dared to come to the Temple to worship Him. *** Their enemies would ravage them in war and butcher their children and burn their homes. God would put the end of their lewdness and idolatry and they would know that He is the Lord. *** Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we are forgiven of our sins and can boldly enter into Heaven’s Most Holy Place. The veil was torn on the cross and we now have access to God’s presence. *** We are to motivate one another to good works and acts of love. If a person deliberately continues to sin after Jesus has forgiven him, then Jesus cannot die again and this person is without hope of being cleansed. Take note that this person is deliberately choosing to defile God and what he did for him. God compares this activity as trampling on the Son of God and treating his blood sacrifice as not holy. *** Suffering for Christ out of the right heart brings joy because of the promise awaiting us. Suffering produces patient endurance and requires great faith in the One who brings his reward with him. I love the last line, “But we are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.” *** Lord, may we have faithful and patiently wait on your timing. Thank you that you have already rescued us from sin. May we be faithful till the end.