Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 3, 2022: SOAP #4657: Ezekiel 20-21; Psalm 111; Revelation 8

SCRIPTURE:  Ezekiel (NIV) 20:8 “‘But they rebelled against me and would not listen to me; they did not get rid of the vile images they had set their eyes on, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt. So, I said I would pour out my wrath on them and spend my anger against them in Egypt. 9 But for the sake of my name I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nations they lived among and in whose sight I had revealed myself to the Israelites by bringing them out of Egypt….
21 “‘But the children rebelled against me: They did not follow my decrees, they were not careful to keep my laws— although the man who obeys them will live by them—and they desecrated my Sabbaths. So, I said I would pour out my wrath on them and spend my anger against them in the desert. 22 But I withheld my hand, and for the sake of my name I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.

OBSERVATION:  As God’s highest creation, man is very important to God.  God cares what people think about Him.  Through the nation of Israel, God wanted to display to the world what a holy and loving God He is.  The Israelites ignored His word and turned to idols.  God was going to destroy them, but Moses interceded and for the sake of what the other nations would think, God spared His people.  (Exodus 32)  What the other nations thought about God was determined by the actions of God’s people. 

APPLICATION:  What do my family and friends think about the God I serve?  Do they see that the God I serve is just for Sundays or for when I am in church with church people?  Or do they see that my God is a part of my every-day life?  Do they see that the God I serve is worthy of my full devotion every day and in every part of my life? 

PRAYER:   Oh, Lord, may the people that know me, be convinced that Leon is serving a God worthy of my full devotion.  Like my brother’s song:  “Lord, there’s just one thing; One thing I ask of Thee; Cause me to excel; Excel in loving Thee.  There’s nothing in this world, That I would rather be; But by thy grace just one; Who excels in loving Thee.” Amen

Pastor Leon
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