Ezekiel 28:26
“They’ll live there in safety. They’ll build houses. They’ll plant vineyards, living in safety. Meanwhile, I’ll bring judgment on all the neighbors who have treated them with such contempt. And they’ll realize that I am GOD.”
“They will live safely in Israel and build homes and plant vineyards. And when I punish the neighboring nations that treated them with contempt, they will know that I am the Lord their God.”
It is easy to see only what we want to see. The Pharisees in Jesus time did just that with verses like this. Their Messiah came to vanquish and exact vengeance. They choose not to see the many scriptures that paint a suffering messiah. It led them terribly astray and unprepared for destruction. We still do this because it is our nature, ever self-absorbed. But God’s Spirit is at hand to help us see clearly. He protects us from despair when that sight overwhelms and gives us hope for the redemption of what it reveals.
Lord, give me open, perfectly focused eyes. Strip away my sinful filters. Help me believe in your power to heal the brokenness of our time and vanquish the enemy of our souls. May I see strongly and compassionately, for you.