Ezekiel 33:11 “Say to them, `As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?'”

This is an enormously important Scripture, because it directly contradicts one of Satan’s most persistent lies, that God is out to get us. The devil does all he can to paint God as a vindictive ogre, not wanting anyone to have fun and smashing us if we get out of line. Here we have God’s direct words saying that is a baldfaced lie. As Paul said, God wants everyone to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4) That of course is what John 3:16-17 is all about as well. God was so desirous that we not die that He gave His only Son to die in our place. To be saved, we have to acknowledge that our attitudes and actions have put us into the category of the wicked, and then know and trust that God has given His Son to die in our place. So many people hang up on one side of that or the other. We don’t want to admit that we are sinners in need of repentance, and then we find God’s offer of salvation “too good to be true.” The Gospel is Good News only to those who will admit they need it!

This of course is what I am dedicated to trying to communicate. I rejoice to see others communicating it creatively and effectively, but at times I get discouraged about my own success rate. Whatever my success rate, I must remember the earlier verses of this chapter and not fail to call people to repentance. I do not know when my words might penetrate the veil of lies and confusion that covers someone’s heart, perhaps years after I speak them. I must always speak God’s truth in love, (Ephesians 4:15) not being condemnatory but not failing to make it clear that without repentance and faith, none of us has any hope. I need to make it clear to the believers that they have the same calling to be witnesses to God’s grace, and that no one else has exactly the same testimony they do. If they will get that through their minds and hearts and trust God to use them, then we will see a great harvest indeed.

Father, thank You for this very clear Word, and for making it clear this is what You want shared with the congregation on Sunday. I ask for wisdom and anointing both as I lay out the notes for the message and as I deliver it, that it may be Your words empowered by Your Spirit, cutting through the lies and confusion of the enemy and setting people free to be all You are calling them to be, for the sake of the Body of Christ and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!