Hope in the Possibility of Many

Scripture: "Son of dust," he said, "you live among rebels who could know the truth if they wanted to, but they don’t want to; they could hear me if they would listen, but they won’t." Ezekiel 12:2

Observation: Ezekiel is being given prophesy to tell the exiles, which are actually warnings of what is about to happen to those still living in Jerusalem. The Lord repeatedly calls them "rebels" for they continue to sin and to disobey the Lord. This is not because their hearts are hardened, or because God isn't trying to correct and teach them. In this verse, the Lord explicitly says ... the ability to correct their lives is something they possess. The could know the truth, and they could hear from the Lord. However, they don't want to. They don't listen.

This is all part of the reclamation effort of the Lord. Back in Jerusalem, Ezekiel even saw the people there accuse the first-wave exiles of being evil ... they were the ones carried off, after all. Instead, the remaining people continue to sin greatly, and are about to be brutally destroyed. Meanwhile, the exiles have been told to repent, correct their actions, love the Lord, and settle into their new situation until some future time of redemption. But they aren't listening. Some have completely turned to worshiping Babylonian gods. Some simply lament their situation. Few have accepted correction and returned to the Lord.

Here, the Lord clearly says they could return to him. They could still have great lives - albeit in a different place - if they would return to the Lord. They aren't listening yet. They don't want to return to God yet. But they could.

Application: I have spent many days pondering the despair that - perhaps - our nation cannot be restored. It is possible that God will choose a downward path for our region. However, God also reminds me today that this is NOT about a nation, a government, a city ... it is about people, about souls, and any number of people can still return to the Lord. It is their choice. They can accept Jesus. They can listen to the message of salvation.

Okay, most in this area don't want to accept Jesus. Most won't listen. However, there is hope for some, and eventually some will become more, and more will become many. I may be living in the time "some", but I must maintain hope for many.

Prayer: Lord, today I pray again into our small community of Bothell and the light was are about to try to shine during the holidays. I believe we do affect lives through our Christmas lights, and this year will be very, very different. There is absolutely no doubt that I live among rebels who don't want to know the truth. However, we are trying to give them the opportunity to listen. May thy will be done, and your message heard, in this season. Amen.