The merchants among the nations scoff at you; you have come to a horrible end and will be no more.

Ezekiel 27

The merchants among the nations scoff at you; you have come to a horrible end and will be no more. v36

In Ezekiel 25-28, God tells Ezekiel to deliver a warning to Israel's/Judah's neighbors - depicted on the below:

God is warning these kingdoms to be prepared for His wrath.  Particularly striking is God's warning to Tyre where in chapters 26-28, God warns us about growing intoxicated and falling in love with wealth, material things, power, status, and prestige. Many believe (good summary here of one such example) that Satan's fall is a focus in chapter 28, where "[Satan's] heart became proud on account of [his]beauty, and [he] corrupted [his] wisdom because of [his] splendor" (v17).


These messages are important for all of us.

More on pride, material wealth, and humility - the latter of which is God's desire for us. 

Map Source: https://trumpet-call.org/2016/10/03/bible-study-ezekiel-21-instrument-of-gods-judgment

He must become greater; I must become less. John 3:30

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has blessed me beyond what I deserve!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worthy of all the ways in which You bless me.  I worry...far too much.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

Proverbs 23

Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.  Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. v4-5

As I continue to interview with another company, I must remind myself not to chase something that does not have eternal value, that does not glorify God.  I must also remind myself that I did not produce any success to date and I should be a good steward of what God entrusted to me.

See also posts here. 

May [the Lord] give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. Psalm 20:4

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who loves me, even with all of my sin and brokenness.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and everyday.

The Lord had seen how bitterly everyone in Israel, whether slave or free, was suffering; there was no one to help them. And since the Lord had not said he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam son of Jehoash.

2 Kings 14

The Lord had seen how bitterly everyone in Israel, whether slave or free, was suffering; there was no one to help them. And since the Lord had not said he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam son of Jehoash. v26

God goes to great lengths to get our attention, demonstrating that we don't get what we deserve (wages of sin is death - Romans 6:23) and we do get what we don't deserve (grace is gift - Ephesians 2:8-9).  As part of this, we see God as someone who once again always keeps His promises, and this stops Him from destroying or allowing the destruction of Israel.

Our response to such grace should be one of repentance.  We should turn towards God. 

Yet according to the Macarthur Bible Commentary, Israel enjoyed prosperity not experienced since the days of Solomon but failed to turn towards God.  Instead, Jeroboam and Israel rested in material wealth.

This is our story - we too often place our faith in ourselves, others, and in earthly possessions and material wealth.  

Lord Jesus, please help me trust in You alone!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are - You save me from the sting of sin and death and You provide eternity in heaven.  Thank You Jesus - You are the greatest gift of all time.  I am not worth such a gift.  I worry - FAR too much.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.