Ezekiel 9:8: “So it was, that while they were killing them, I was left alone; and I fell on my face and cried out, and said, ‘Ah, Lord God! Will You destroy all the remnant of Israel in pouring out Your fury on Jerusalem?’”

December 4th, 2024 by Pastor Ed in devotional

After God showed Ezekiel the destruction of his nation, Ezekiel asked if God was going to destroy everything, including the faithful. The Lord replied that sin demands judgment, but that He would spare the faithful remnant. God was sparing those who understood their need for confession and repentance and who were keeping short accounts with Him. He always responds to the humble confessor, providing forgiveness and safety. We believers must stay intimately familiar with the subjects of repentance and grace; they are the keys to our lasting relationship with God.

King David understood repentance better than most Old Testament saints, and wrote openly of it in his own life. Psalm 51:1–2 says:

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your lovingkindness: according to the multitude of your tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.”

There is a story of a Sunday School teacher who asked her class what the word repentance meant. A boy raised his hand and said, “It means being sorry for your sins.” A little girl raised her hand and added, “It means being sorry enough to quit.” That doesn’t mean we never sin again; or that if we do, we weren’t sorry enough. It means we turn from our sins and fall on the great grace that God gives to us, which freely justifies us and enables us to walk with Him (Rom. 3:23, Titus 3:7).

“LORD, forgive us of our sins and cleanse us again. Revive us to be Your faithful remnant in this our generation.”