Tuesday September 22, 2020 - Turn to God
Say to them, “As I live, declares the Lord God, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from their way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why should you die, O house of Israel?” (Ezekiel 33:11)
When God created the world, he created it perfect. He created it without death and sin. When Adam and Eve sinned, they brought death and sin into this world. God did not want his creation to be subject to sin. He did not want death to be in the world. But God had also told Adam and Eve not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil. This was to be their way of worshipping God. The consequence of eating from the tree was death. Since God does not lie, Adam and Eve would die for their sin.
But that was not what God wanted. When God confronted Adam and Eve about their sin, he already promised them a savior. He is a just God who punishes sin, but he is also a loving God who punished his Son for our sin.
Throughout history, God has always been calling people to turn to him. He called Abraham to turn and follow him. From Abraham came the nation of Israel. God called Israel to turn back to him time and time again. He sent them into exile so that they would turn back to him. He told Ezekiel to call them back to him.
God calls us to turn back to him too. Every day, he calls us to turn to him for mercy and forgiveness. Every day, he shows us that our sins are forgiven. And every day, he asks us to call others to turn to him. In our actions and our words, we call others to turn to God who saves us.
God takes no pleasure in our death, that’s why he sent his Son. So turn to him for salvation. Amen.
Our song for today is “I Turn to You” by Selah