August 22

Ezekiel 22:17-23:49; 2 Kings 24:20-25:2; Jeremiah 52:3-5, 39:1; Ezekiel 24:1-14

In America the most common view of God is described as moral therapeutic deism. This is a view that there is a god, but he is primarily concerned about me being a good person more than me having a relationship with him. In this view, he exists for my personal happiness and not for his glory; and he created the world, but he is largely disconnected from everyday life. This view typically creates a god that affirms everything a person does. The God of the Bible is very different. In fact, Ezekiel reminds us again and again that God is a God of wrath. (The word wrath is used more times in the book of Ezekiel than in any other book of the Bible.) Ezekiel 22 says, "I gather you in my anger and my wrath...I will blow on you with my fiery wrath...you will know that I the Lord have poured out my wrath on you."

He wants us to understand God is a God of justice, anger, and wrath. He is a God of love, but not just a God of love; he is also a God of wrath, who stands against evil, sin, and wickedness. He stands against the wickedness in our hearts and in our world, and we should praise God for this.

Father God, thank you that you love me but also stand against the sin and wickedness in my life. Help me to gain your heart and see your kingdom come on Earth as it is in heaven. Amen. 

What difference does it make knowing God is a God of wrath?

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