Ezekiel 14:23

"And they shall comfort you, when ye see their ways and their doings: and ye shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, saith the Lord God."
Ezekiel 14:23


What strikes me about this verse is the "I have not done without cause all that I have done" part. I think that this is true in all of God's work, not just this verse. :) And it is comforting to see that everything is not just random... even though we know that it all makes sense, it is really cool when we can see and comprehend how it is all working. It seems to be a gift that God gives to prophets often, but one that I think we can all strive for. When we read the
scriptures and really try to absorb them... to know God as much as we can, then we kind of get on the same wavelength, and we don't just get peace... we get understanding. God shares his thoughts with us, at least to the extent that we can handle... and we can see more of the reasons that God does what he does. Too often, we look around at the world and see so much chaos and harm... and it doesn't seem like it makes sense. We don't think that we can do anything about it, or that anyone can. With God, we can step back and get a larger perspective, and see the incredible forces there are in the world that are working for Good... that are changing things for the better. And we can be a part of making things better, and fitting ourselves into God's plan of happiness... that makes *sense* and will eventually solve all of the problems, globally and individually. :)

Jeremiah 32:40

"And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me."
Jeremiah 32:40


Fascinating. :) In a way, it sounds like God is promising not to do us good, but to keep throwing obstacles at us. ...That isn't always what we want, but it is usually what we need. We *need* those obstacles to grow into what we are. If we are going to become like God, we can't just kick back and coast. We have to confront those fears; we have to overcome those doubts. We have to keep learning, growing, and becoming more than we are right now. We need to have that constant motivation... that "fear." And if it is God's fear... maybe it is of our separation from him permanently. He fears that, and loves us, and that is why he wants us to go through all the challenges of life... so that we will learn and grow, and so that one day we can return to him, and not suffer that separation forever. Let's stay motivated today, and meet those challenges, and find the lessons all around us. Let's learn, so that we can return home to our Father.