Thursday November 24, 2005

Text for the Day -- Ezekiel 33:7-9, 17-20
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So you, mortal, I have made a sentinel for the house of Israel;
whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning
from me. If I say to the wicked, 'O wicked ones, you shall surely
die', and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from their
ways, the wicked shall die in their iniquity, but their blood I will
require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from their
ways, and they do not turn from their ways, the wicked shall die in
their iniquity, but you will have saved your life.

Yet your people say, 'The way of the Lord is not just', when it is
their own way that is not just. When the righteous turn from their
righteousness, and commit iniquity, they shall die for it. And when
the wicked turn from their wickedness, and do what is lawful and
right, they shall live by it. Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is
not just.' O house of Israel, I will judge all of you according to
your ways!

Devotional
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Justice is related to accountability. Ezekiel was the first prophet
to emphasize personal accountability for sins. People could no longer
blame their parents or grand parents for their troubles. Does this
sound a bit modern to your ears? Is this the excuse we are hearing
today? God's justice is not capricious. We are accountable for our
deeds and we can not look to blame others.

Prayer
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Lord, I accept responsibility for my life and offer it to you and
seek your mercy for my life. Amen