“Thus says the Lord God:
Because you make your heart
like the heart of a god…
“The word of the Lord came to me: ‘Son of man, set your face toward Sidon, and prophesy against her, Thus says the Lord God:
“‘Behold, I am against you, O Sidon,
and I will manifest my glory in your midst.
And they shall know that I am the Lord
when I execute judgments in her
and manifest my holiness in her;
for I will send pestilence into her,
and blood into her streets;
and the slain shall fall in her midst,
by the sword that is against her on every side.
Then they will know that I am the Lord.
“‘And for the house of Israel there shall be no more a brier to prick or a thorn to hurt them among all their neighbors who have treated them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the Lord God.
“Thus says the Lord God: When I gather the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and manifest my holiness in them in the sight of the nations, then they shall dwell in their own land that I gave to my servant Jacob. And they shall dwell securely in it, and they shall build houses and plant vineyards. They shall dwell securely, when I execute judgments upon all their neighbors who have treated them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the Lord their God.’” Ezekiel 28:6,20-26
Brilliant splendor in sunrise, forests, wind-carved rocks … the Creator is manifest in our midst. Joy at new birth, long faithfulness of marriage commitments, wisdom of old age… God is manifest in the richness of family and years. But pestilence, hunger, pain, destitution, suffering? Yes, God is also manifest in these. The vast and perfect character of the holy Sovereign is revealed through all He orders and employs so people might know He is the LORD.
As humans this side of heaven, we see in a mirror dimly. We cannot comprehend the complexities of His nature and that goodness and judgment, mercy and wrath, can coincide. We see through sin-jaded lenses of want and emotion, and are clouded by personal affinities and rights we will not surrender. We declare ourselves gods over the resources the Lord gives and identities and roles He’s assigned by His making and design. (Ezekiel 29:9-16; 1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 John 3:2)
Yet God in His word and love conveys His desire that we know Him, and that includes all of Him, every facet. He wants us to aspire to Christ-likeness and not settle for mediocrity in motive, behavior, or worship. He knows that it’s a complete understanding of who He is that will spur us on in spiritual zeal. A proper balance of fear and love, humility and adoration uplifts, purifies, and inspires honorable passion.
Do we prefer to choose what we want Him to be, rather than who He gloriously is? If so, we’re settling for making god in our image and so dilute His majesty and infinite greatness. In what areas of daily routine and life experience do I see Him manifest, and how will I respond?
Lord, ever present and splendid, keep me intent on seeing you work and glorified.
As the rain and snow 