"[The
LORD] said to me, ‘Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the
house of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own
idol? They say, "The LORD does not see us; the LORD has forsaken the
land."’ Again, he said, ‘You will see them doing things that are even
more detestable’" (Ezekiel 8:12-13 NIV).
Some
people of the Judah had been deported to Babylon because of the sins of
the people. In spite of this, the other people in the land of Judah
continued in their sins. The Spirit of God lifted Prophet Ezekiel up in
visions and took him to the city of Jerusalem to show him some of the
detestable things that the people of Judah were doing secretly.
Interestingly, the people were thinking that because God had forsaken
them due to their sins, He did not see them as they continued in the
sins. The Spirit showed Ezekiel from one place to the other as these
people were doing more and more detestable things that were not hidden
from God (see Ezekiel 8). Definitely, these people were punished for
their sins (see Ezekiel 9).
Many
people like those Jews in Ezekiel’s time are doing bad things secretly
today thinking that God does not see them. The psalmist vividly
described such people and concluded, "Does he who implanted the ear not
hear? Does he who formed the eye not see? Does he who disciplines
nations not punish? Does he who teaches man lack knowledge? The LORD
knows the thoughts of man; he knows that they are futile" (Psalm 94:9-11
NIV). Some are doing bad things secretly because they have been
disappointed in one way or the other. Others are doing so because they
are just wicked. Most of such people prefer acting in the secret or
darkness because they would not want their wickedness to be exposed (cf.
John 3:19-21).
What
are you doing secretly thinking that nobody sees you? If nobody sees
you, God does! What are you thinking secretly in your heart right now?
Would you be proud of your secret acts and thoughts when they are
exposed? You may hide things from man. You cannot hide them from God.
Always remember the conclusion of the writer of the Ecclesiastes, "For
God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil" (12:14 NIV).
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
Prayer Point: Pray that God will deliver you from secret/hidden sins.
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