{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"42. The Preeminent God","description":"Today\u2019s Scripture reading comes from Ezekiel 24:18, quoting from the NASB: \u201cSo I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. And in the morning I did as I was commanded.\u201d How hard is it to be stripped of one\u2019s most valued possession and be denied grieving rights? God\u2019s relationship with his prophets often defied comprehension. Using them as object lessons in some instances, He asked them to consider obedience of greater importance than even their personal lives. Ezekiel\u2019s commitment and obedience to God are highlighted in a most provocative way. The prophet was to know in advance that his wife would die that day and was to refrain from mourning her. What a struggle it would be to perform one\u2019s duties following a spouse\u2019s demise without betraying the emotion of loss for the one who was \u201chis great delight.\u201d What did God want from Ezekiel? Could God\u2019s response to the declaration of Samaria and Jerusalem\u2019s adultery and idolatry not be portrayed in a less intrusive manner? Much can be learned from Ezekiel\u2019s response. He did not question or bargain with God. Why? Ezekiel was convinced of God\u2019s preeminence in much the same way as Abraham who declared of God, \u201cHe can raise him from the dead,\u201d when he lifted the knife to take Isaac\u2019s life. To Ezekiel, God\u2019s preeminence\u2014his first place in judging, offering up for destruction, or extending mercy\u2014did not diminish at the door of personal sacrifice. He was the Lord\u2019s prophet, accustomed to knowing God\u2019s mind and will for the people before the events took place. He had pledged faithful service and determined to get to the end of his service with his integrity in tact. After all, the message he delivered would be compromised by a lesser commitment. The people prized the temple and its activity over the Lord Himself, and God was preparing to strip it away from them. Their lack of regard for His holiness flew in the face of His jealous claim on the whole heart of the people. In what ways do we demonstrate this same carelessness? What gives you greater delight\u2014loyalty to a program, an institution, a promotion, or obedience to God? God has not asked for the sacrifice of the family or called for slackness on the job as demonstration of commitment to Him. God took Ezekiel\u2019s wife as a sign of the reverence and obedience He required of His people. God wants the acknowledged, preeminent position in each of our lives.   \/\/ Points to Ponder Over the next week, here are 3 points to ponder during your personal time of reflection or with a small group or mentor. First, is there \u201ca delight\u201d in your life that surpasses your reverence for God? Second, has the work of your hands become your sanctuary, full of pride and desire? Third, are you able to let go of the temporal for the eternal good God wants to perform through you?   \/\/ About the Narrator An Army ROTC grad from Tennessee Tech University, serving both on active duty and in the reserves, Lucy is a retired U.S. Army Reserve LTC and works for the Army's 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, KY. She and her husband, Greg, are OCF Associate Field Staff for ROTC and are involved with local OCF Bible Studies on the local college campus and at Fort Campbell. Lucy accepted Christ as Savior in high school and is growing to let Him be Lord in every area of life.   \/\/ Purchase a Copy Call the OCF Home Office at 800-424-1984 to purchase a paperback copy of the book, or buy a Kindle version at Amazon. ","author_name":"Leader, Draw Near","author_url":"http:\/\/ldnpodcast.libsyn.com\/website","html":"