While in Babylon, the prophet Ezekiel was shown a vision of the temple back in Jerusalem. In it, the religious leaders of the day had abandoned worship of the Lord, who had brought them out of Egypt and planted them in their good land. Instead, they were worshiping a host of idols, mere created things, and praying to them rather than to the Creator who made them all. Throughout the Bible, of all the infractions people commit against God, the worship of other gods seems to upset the Lord the most.
In this vision, the Lord instructed Ezekiel to peer into hidden rooms built into the wall of the temple.
9 “Go in,” he said, “and see the wicked and detestable sins they are committing in there!” 10 So I went in and saw the walls covered with engravings of all kinds of crawling animals and detestable creatures. I also saw the various idols worshiped by the people of Israel. 11 Seventy leaders of Israel were standing there with Jaazaniah son of Shaphan in the center. Each of them held an incense burner, from which a cloud of incense rose above their heads.
12 Then the Lord said to me, “Son of man, have you seen what the leaders of Israel are doing with their idols in dark rooms? They are saying, ‘The Lord doesn’t see us; he has deserted our land!’” Ezekiel 8:9-12 (NLT)
The vision went on to uncover other instances of idolatry, such as group worship of a harvest god, or of the rising sun. Much of this worship of false gods was taking place behind closed doors in darkened rooms. As with many who participate in false idol worship today, there was a belief that God either does not see or does not care about it – both assertions are highly incorrect. The Lord has included many such examples throughout scripture to make crystal clear His vehement objection to idol worship of any kind.
Many of us still have dark corners in our own lives where we, too, might try to hide things from God. We know these dark thoughts, actions, or habits are not consistent with God’s pure nature – the loving and giving heart of His Holy Spirit who lives within believers – but we still fall short and need His forgiveness and cleansing. We are works in progress who seek to do better today than we did yesterday, and to walk in the pure light of God.
5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5 (NASB)
There is a purity and innocence in the holy light of God. We may sometimes fail to reflect this in our own nature, but the good news is that God is a fountain of selfless love, grace, and forgiveness for all who would seek Him in humble repentance. Jesus, the Word of God, brings this light to us and, despite our shortcomings and imperfections, will shine through us again.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:4-5 (NLT)
The light of God helps us to recognize our sins and shortcomings, for our own benefit. When we humbly confess our faults to Him, the Lord will bring us peace through His amazing gifts of mercy and forgiveness. All the blots on our record and on our character are expunged through Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. He bore all the punishment that we deserve, for us.
One big step we can take in our transition from living in darkness to walking in the light is prayerful and honest self-appraisal. Just what are the areas of darkness in my life? Some of these we may already know quite well, such as any long-term bad habits we have been trying to quit, or addictions, selfish actions, or angry outbursts. But others are more subtle and easier to miss or to skip over. In fact, many of my own shortcomings I first recognized in others, rather than in myself.
God wants us to be totally honest with both ourselves and with Him. That is a necessary beginning if we are to experience His complete healing and reconciliation, and to walk forward in His light.
When we recognize our character flaws or failures, we take them to the cross of Christ. He is right here with us and will lift these burdens away as we confess them to Him. If we take this simple step, God will carry us along on our journey to the other side of darkness, walking with Him, bathed in His wonderful light. His mercies and love for us are poured out without limit. As the apostle John wrote:
6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:6-9 (NASB)
If we seek to walk in the Light, He will never let us down. He will cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness, every time. He is always perfect, even if we are not. He does ask that we seek to do better the next time, and to forgive any and all others who have sinned against us.
May you enjoy the blessings of His peace and forgiveness today as we seek to follow Him and to walk in His light.
Reflection
What is on my conscience that I need to take before the Lord?
Do I owe an amends to someone for something I have done or said to them?
Lord, we bring all of our brokenness, failures, and shortcomings to the cross of Christ. Help us to turn away from darkness and to walk towards Your Light. Thank You for forgiving us as we humbly confess our sins to You, and help us to make amends for the wrongs that we have done to others. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Have a beautiful day today, walking in the grace and mercy of the Lord.
Daily Meditations from the Genealogy of Jesus 