As I studied our Living Life devotional guide on Thursday, the words, “You Can Run but You Cannot Hide” really struck a cord in my heart. Having served the Lord full time for some 40 years, I have seen this piece of truth played out time and again in the lives of so many servants of God, myself included. Sometimes, we foolishly think we can get away with secret sins, but nothing escapes the eyes of the Lord. He loves us way too much to tear His eyes away from us, and His apparent tolerance is Him patiently waiting for us to turn our hearts back to Him. Apostle Paul questions in Romans 2:4 (NKJV), “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”
The scripture for that day was taken from Ezekiel 20:30-39. From this passage, we learn that the Israelites whom prophet Ezekiel was speaking to were in a state of rebellion, assuming they could escape the consequences of their sin. As a result, God declared He would discipline them by scattering them among the nations, but eventually bringing them back. The process of scattering and regathering demonstrates God’s wrath and discipline in the lives of His people, where His purpose was not destruction, but correction. And the result is in verse 39 where, “afterward you will surely listen to me and no longer profane my holy name with your gifts (sacrifice of children) and idols.”
Indeed, when God’s people returned from the exile, the nation of Israel never worshipped any idol ever again. “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction; for whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights.” (Proverbs 3:11-12, NKJV)
- Senior Pastor Lawrence Khong