SATURDAY, JANUARY 24
Scripture: Ezekiel 18:24-30

Ezekiel 18:24-30 says, “‘But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? All the righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; because of the unfaithfulness of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed, because of them he shall die. Yet you say, “The way of the Lord is not fair.” Hear now, O house of Israel, is it not My way which is fair, and your ways which are not fair? When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and dies in it, it is because of the iniquity which he has done that he dies. Again, when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness which he committed, and does what is lawful and right, he preserves himself alive. Because he considers and turns away from all the transgressions which he committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die. Yet the house of Israel says, “The way of the Lord is not fair.” O house of Israel, is it not My ways which are fair, and your ways which are not fair? Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,’ says the Lord God. ‘Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin.’” It is interesting that Israel was complaining that the way of the Lord was not fair. Then the prophet had to say, ‘Wait a minute – the way of the Lord is fair. It is your ways that are not fair.’ Verse 30 is very interesting, “‘Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,’ says the Lord God. ‘Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin.’” If there was ever a statement that could be made to nations, it is that one. Turn and repent so that iniquity will not be your ruin. The church can make that difference in many nations today. As we embrace the way of the Lord and execute the judgment of our God, we can bring mercy to our nations and justice to the perpetrators. God is ready, are we?