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Killing Me Softly 1.25.21

Killing Me Softly Devotional Series – Week 3 – Blaming - Monday – Pastor Chris
The Game We Call Blame!

Scripture Reading — Ezekiel 21:17 (NIV)
“I too will strike my hands together, and my wrath will subside. I the Lord have spoken.”

Who do you tend to blame when things go wrong? It is incredible how quickly we can blame someone else for the bad things that happen to us. Parents are usually the first to cop the blame for anything negative that we have experienced.

I would have to say that leaders, particularly those in high-ranking positions, like Presidents or CEOs, probably come in a close second. And I surmise that thirdly, anyone who has ever wronged us in the past. We may not even see them anymore, but indeed they have had a hand in our disasters in life.
 
It often helps to blame someone else because we can vent any anger we may have in their direction, rather than having to make changes in our own lives. However, no matter how good it feels, it is never helpful and does not help us go through any healing process.
The prophet Ezekiel had a mighty big job. God’s people were making bad choices, and the consequences were about to surface. Ezekiel 21 paints an awful picture of what Israel was about to endure. However, in the middle of the chapter, we see verse 17 demonstrating God’s mercy.

As God spoke of the future ramifications, I like how He got Ezekiel to clap to bring forth the disaster, whereas He clapped to make it stop. I think this is true in most situations. Humans tend to cause trouble, whereas God is the one who brings peace and rest.

The time of destruction in the Old Testament represented by Ezekiel’s prophetic words are what can happen in our own lives. Due to our poor choices, consequences abound, but that does not mean that God leaves us.

Even in the most significant rebellion, God was still there for His people. Even after the constant rejection, God still waited for His people to return.

God treats us the same. He is the ever-patient, loving God. It is in our best interest not to turn from Him, and it gives us hope to know that He is always there.

Pray this prayer with me today:
Lord God forgive us in our rebellion. May we not look to blame others but take responsibility for our actions. Amen.

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