Daily Manna

DAILY MANNA

SATURDAY 8th November, 2014

Topic: Nothing To Celebrate

TEXT: Ezekiel 21:1-17

Key Verse: “It is sharpened to make a sore slaughter; it is furbished that it may glitter: should we then make mirth? it contemneth the rod of my son, as every tree” ( Ezekiel 21:10 ).

It would be completely unthinkable and absurd for any one to throw a party and make merriment in the face of a raging disaster and calamity. This is why sensitive presidents of most countries cancel their engagements at home or abroad in order to identify with their nations in moments of crises. If it is thought inhuman and insensitive for people of the world to rejoice, make mirth when there is an obvious danger and calamity, then it will be completely unacceptable for Christians to make fun of a looming calamity coming upon the world.

Prophet Ezekiel in our text paints a gory and terrifying picture of an approaching judgment upon the nation of Israel. The judgment will be so massive and terrible cutting across the whole land and leaving no one. Seeing this terrible vision, the prophet called for weeping and mourning. He saw no reason to rejoice or make merry. The only appropriate thing to do at such a time is put aside all merry making, take up sackcloth, sit in ashes, mourn and weep in repentance.

As Christians today, this calls for real sober thought. Can we say that we have not heard of the impending judgment and calamity that will sweep across the world, leaving no one out? Can we say that we are ignorant of an eternal lake of fire awaiting all unrepentant sinners at the end of their lives on earth? What has been our attitude to these realities? Do we ignore them, pretend they are not serious issues and just go our way and engage in merry-making? How does our attitude show that we really believe what we read and preach? Can we say we are concerned with our less emphasis on eternal issues and playing-up of temporal, material well-being and success? Are we not making mirth instead of weeping and pleading for mercy? How then will the world take our message serious and believe what we preach?

The Lord expects that like Ezekiel, we weep and mourn for the unrepentant, do all we can and spend all we have to make sure they escape.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: We only mock the truth when we make light of it!

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