“The survivors will remember Me among the nations where they are carried captive, how I was crushed by their adulterous heart that has strayed from Me ….”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭6:9‬ ‭TLV‬‬

One shared human experience is that of a broken heart. No one is immune to it. But G-d isn’t like us yet the Word says He has experienced it too. It’s an interesting – and devastating- thought that we could crush His heart.

There are two phrases I hope I never hear from the Lord: depart from Me – I (the Lord) never knew you, and the one from today’s passage: you crushed My (the Lord’s) heart. 

The Hebrew word for crushed used above is šāḇar and means broken-hearted, to crush or to destroy. In the verse above, Adonai is speaking to the Prophet Ezekiel about the coming destruction to Israel. Adonai knew destruction was the only way to return their hearts to Him (7:27). 

When our hearts stray, it breaks His heart. It’s that simple and that terrifying – especially when so many things vie for my attention and affections. The only sure way to NOT break His heart is to reject the idols of the world and remain a faithful to Him alone. Adonai is a jealous G-d. He is good – but He is Holy. My choices, my responses, and my affections have more weight than I often realize. Will He find me faithful or will I crush His heart? Time will tell. 

Father – thank You for Your Word. Guard my heart. Find me faithful. Turn me away from that which does not please You. You are good and You keep doing good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.  

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 5-8

August 28, 2022