Ezekiel 6:8-10
“‘But I’ll let a few escape the killing as you are scattered through other lands and nations. In the foreign countries where they’re taken as prisoners of war, they’ll remember me. They’ll realize how devastated I was by their betrayals, by their voracious lust for gratifying themselves in their idolatries. They’ll be disgusted with their evil ways, disgusting to God in the way they’ve lived. They’ll know that I am GOD. They’ll know that my judgment against them was no empty threat.’”
“‘But I will let a few of my people escape destruction, and they will be scattered among the nations of the world. Then when they are exiled among the nations, they will remember me. They will recognize how hurt I am by their unfaithful hearts and lustful eyes that long for their idols. Then at last they will hate themselves for all the detestable sins. They will know that I alone am the Lord and that I was serious when I said I would bring this calamity on them.’”
Israel’s God promised death and destruction should they ever forsake him. Over centuries they came to think he would always rescue and forgive. They lost sight of his righteousness. Here we see God’s broken heart finally reached a tipping point. His wayward people had refused to listen to the messages of his prophets and their destruction was at hand. But it was not the end. They moved through judgement and disbursed throughout the world, keeping the flower of their faith and culture alive over millennia. Dark valleys make a mountain top.
Lord, I know from blessed experience how you lead through trial/judgement to new beginnings. I am amazed you care to watch over such a speck as I and walk with me through dark times. You journey alongside everyone and everything that reaches out for you. I can’t imagine how you are everywhere at once, but your are! Thank you for the assurance my true, eternal destiny is in you and no journey through the dark can change it. You are my wonderful, glorious, amazing Lord. Oh, how I look forward to my eternal rest in your arms.