Thoughts for another day

June 14, 2012

Today's verse: Eze. 13:5. You have not gone up into the gaps or breeches, nor built up the wall for the house of Israel that it might stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. (Amplified Bible – copyright acknowledged)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Whenever we confess our sins, we look at only those which are wrought out of our mouth such as words, or our hands, such as our deeds.  Some may also include their evil thoughts and seek mercy for them.  But look closely at our Scripture above, it's an indictment on the false prophets which the Lord God puts on them, asking Ezekiel to prophesy against them and warning that He, the Lord God will be against them. 

The Lord has clearly denounced those who don't do what they're supposed to do and they will face His wrath in time.  Jesus also censured those that didn't extend their hands to help those in need in giving the parable of Lazarus and the rich man, Lk. 16:19ff and the Good Samaritan, Lk. 10! Jesus warns us of our sin of omission in Mathew 25, saying, 'Whatever you did not do to the least of My brothers, you did not do unto Me.  

Is the indictment of the Lord for not doing our work when we need to do it so as to save many, still valid today?  Yes, indeed.  If I'm a preacher, then like Paul says, 'Woe is me if I don't preach the Gospel' 1 Cor. 9:16.  If I'm a prophet then I must prophesy and save the people or the indictment of the Scripture above will fall on me.  If I'm a rich man with lot of wealth, I must reach out to the poor and help them or face the penalty meted out to the Rich man in Lk. 16. We need to be concerned about this, for even if I'm not rich but have two morsels of food, and I see a hungry soul, I must give Him atleast one morsel.   I've hated myself at times for not having reached out to those in distress and for going with the tide where people just castigate all those who ask as being lazy to work and so, beg! 

My friend, think about this, if I have a large amount of money in the bank and there's drought and people are dying for want of simple food, what use is my money if it can't reach out to these people.   In my country India, there're farmers committing suicide because they cannot repay their loans, loans as much as 200 USD, and it doesn't even set us in motion to do something!   What're we going to do when the time comes to face the Lord?  Will He be pleased?  Will He welcome us into His kingdom?  Think about it, you'll get your answer.