Ezekiel 38:23: “Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.”

October 1st, 2021 by Pastor Ed in devotional

In the last days, a nation called Magog (who according to the Greeks and Josephus, are people who dwell north of the Black Sea) along with others, will attack Israel after God’s people are “brought back . . . gathered from many people” (Eze. 38:8). But God will intervene on His people’s behalf and will display His awesome power in so many obvious ways that the world will not be able to deny that He is the Lord God.

This verse was originally given to the people of Judah, to encourage those who were in exile and had seen their capital and temple destroyed by the Babylonians. It was then and is today a reminder that the sovereign and almighty God is not only in control of the future but also of everything that is occurring right now. This definitely impacts us today, as we ponder the possibility of these verses being fulfilled in our contemporary setting.

In this modern world, with almost instantaneous news reports coming in from all over the globe, it is very easy to become fearful. The people of the earth seem to be constantly moving from one financial crisis to another. More efficient weapons of warfare continue to be developed in our own country as well as in unstable nations around the earth. How shall we then live? God gives us reassuring words to help us keep our eyes on Him. Through the prophet Isaiah, He said:

Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel,
And his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts:
“I am the First and I am the Last;
Besides Me there is no God.
And who can proclaim as I do?
Then let him declare it and set it in order for Me,
Since I appointed the ancient people.
And the things that are coming and shall come,
Let them show these to them.
Do not fear, nor be afraid;
Have I not told you from that time, and declared it?
You are My witnesses.
Is there a God besides Me?
Indeed there is no other Rock;
I know not one.” (Isa. 44:6–8)

“LORD, we are Your witnesses, and there is no other God like You. Help us to walk faithfully and confidently with You through this battered and buffeted world this day, in Jesus’ name.”