In the Gospel reading today from Matthew 18, Jesus asks a question about a man who has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray. Jesus says, “Will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray?” God is always looking after us when we go astray – no matter how far we go or where we are. And when we hear His voice and return, there is much rejoicing.
The first reading today from Ezekiel 2 and 3 is an interesting story. God writes on a scroll. What is written is not pleasant. “Written on it was: Lamentation and wailing and woe!” God then tells Ezekiel to eat the scroll. That’s right, put it in his mouth and eat the scroll. You would think that that would be very unpleasant, especially given what was written on the scroll. Not so. Ezekiel says, “I ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.” God then orders Ezekiel to go and speak His words to the house of Israel.
God’s word is sweet. It is a shame that too many people today don’t recognize that. It seems that fewer and fewer people care about or are even familiar with God’s word. And some that are tend to dwell on the lamentation and wailing and woe, not realizing that even those words are for a purpose. How familiar are you with God’s word? I believe that the more we know, the sweeter we will find it.
Father, help us to crave the sweetness of your word. As you bless us with your word, may we be encouraged and bless others. Amen.
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