TOPIC: BY CHOICE, NOT BY CHANCE

TEXT: Ezekiel 20:10-26
10. Wherefore I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness.

11. And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them.

12. Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them.

13. But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness; they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted; then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.

14. But I wrought for my name’s sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out.

15. Yet also I lifted up my hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands;

16. Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my sabbaths; for their heart went after their idols.

17. Nevertheless mine eye spared them from destroying them, neither did I make an end of them in the wilderness.

18. But I said unto their children in the wilderness, Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers, neither observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols;

19. I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them;

20. And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God.

21. Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me; they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted my sabbaths; then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.

22. Nevertheless I withdrew mine hand, and wrought for my name’s sake, that it should not be polluted in the sight of the heathen, in whose sight I brought them forth.

23. I lifted up mine hand unto them also in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the heathen, and disperse them through the countries;

24. Because they had not executed my judgments, but had despised my statutes, and had polluted my sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers’ idols.

25. Wherefore I gave them also statutes that were not good, and judgments whereby they should not live;

26. And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that openeth the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am the LORD.

KEY VERSE:
“And I gave them my statutes, and showed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them.” – (Ezekiel 20:11).

MESSAGE

Israel, the chosen nation, was delivered by God’s strong and mighty hand from Egyptian bondage and taken to a land flowing with milk and honey. Instead of being grateful for their deliverance and live in obedience to His commandments, Israel rebelled and went into idolatry.

The statutes and judgments given by God were for the well-being of the people. The Sabbaths were also given as a sign between God and the nation to make them know that He is the Lord that sanctified them. Israel’s choice of rebellion and disobedience incurred God’s wrath and many of them perished in the wilderness.

Life is about choices, which shape our lives. There are choices over which you have no control such as when, where and how you are born; the family you are born into, your life during childhood, the schools you attend as a growing child, and so on. Aside these, there are several other significant choices you make in life, which have the potential to transform you. Therefore, there is need to be wise in your choices.

The most important life-impacting choice everyone has to make is where to spend eternity, with no opportunity to change one’s mind after death. Today, you have a choice of living according to the word of God, obeying His statutes and commandment or living to suit yourself.

Many, who have not been saved, live in self-will, rebellion and disobedience to the commandments of God. But the great day of God’s wrath is coming. A sinner must make a choice to repent and receive forgiveness from God, live in obedience and yield completely to His will. That is the only way to avoid His impending wrath on unrepentant sinners and backsliders.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Choices shape life and determine eternity.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Numbers 3-4

DCLM Daily Manna 10th September 2022 | By Choice, Not By Chance