Marked

“Then the glory of the God of Israel went up from the cherub on which it had been, to the threshold of the temple.  And He called to the man clothed in linen at whose loins was the writing case. The LORD said to him, “Go through the midst of the city, even through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations which are being committed in its midst”” (Ezekiel 9:3-4).

Ezekiel lived during dark times for the people of God.  The nation as a whole had descended deeper and deeper into sin.  In the midst of a vision from God, Ezekiel had been given a opportunity to personally see what was going on.  Each new abomination he saw exceeded the previous one (cf. Ezekiel 8).  The merciful patience of God with His people had reached the breaking point.  Executioners were called forth to bring divine discipline and judgment upon the rebels (Ezekiel 9:1-2).  But another individual came with the executioners -- a man clothed in linen carrying a writing case (Ezekiel 9:2).  His task was different than that of the executioners.  This man was to go throughout Jerusalem and put an identifying mark on those who were grieved at the sin being practiced around them.

We, too, live in times that can vex the soul of one who has a heart for the things of God.  We live in a culture that has its own share of abominations that elicit sighing and groaning among people of faith.  But don’t lose heart!  God still has His “mark” on the faithful.  Societal disintegration and cultural implosion will not give God amnesia!  To borrow the words of the apostle Paul: “The Lord knows those who are His” (2 Timothy 2:19).  As the Good Shepherd, Jesus says, “...I know my own and My own know me” (John 10:14).  If sin against God still grieves you, then thank God!  That makes you a marked person.

God loves you!

Mike