Ezekiel chapter 20 verse 32 ( NIV)
‘You say, “We want to be like the nations, like the peoples of the world, who serve wood and stone.” But what you have in mind will never happen.
God intended Israel to stand out from the other nations so that those nations could see God’s hand at work among His people. But all Israel wanted to do was to be the same as every other nation. But God wasn’t finished with His people. He needed them to see that there were consequences for their actions.
Four times in chapters 19 and 20 of Ezekiel, God tells them why. He says, “Then you will know that I am the Lord. “
We too are meant to be God’s witnesses and in following His ways and commands, we allow Him to move through our lives for people to see. We are called to be set apart for Him but we can often be as guilty as the people of Israel because we just want to fit in. We need to remember that there are consequences to our actions too. God may use them to get our attention.
But daring to be different can be something worth doing. It lets God use us as He chooses and surely that is exciting!
Dear Lord,
I am an individual loved by You. I am not meant to fit in. Help me be bold enough to stand out for You. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.