You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 NKJV.

Those who are loved by God, let His love continually pour from you to one another, because God is love. Everyone who loves is fathered by God and experiences an intimate knowledge of Him. The one who doesn’t love has yet to know God, for God is love. 1 John 4:7-8 TPT.

He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me. Psalm 18:19.

As I read our chapter, Ezekiel 12, I couldn’t help but think that the children of Israel were just like Egypt in their idolatry and their refusal to listen to Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit. And God is having Ezekiel show them by watching what he is doing, what will be done in Jerusalem. Remember, Ezekiel and these people have already been led away from Jerusalem to Babylon in an earlier invasion. The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people. They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people. Therefore, son of man, pack your belongings for exile and in the daytime, as they watch, set out and go from where you are to another place. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious people. During the daytime, while they watch, bring out your belongings packed for exile. Then in the evening, while they are watching, go out like those who go into exile. While they watch, dig a hole through the wall and take your belongings out through it. Put them on your shoulder as they are watching and carry them out at dusk. Cover your face so that you cannot see the land, for I have made you a sign to the Israelites.” v. 1-6. And that is what happened to king Zedekiah and those with him. He was led to Babylon, captive, and could not see because his eyes had been gouged out. And what about these captives of Israel already in Babylon? The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, what is this proverb you have in the land of Israel: ‘The days go by and every vision comes to nothing?’ Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am going to put an end to this proverb, and they will no longer quote it in Israel.’ Say to them, ‘The days are near when every vision will be fulfilled. For there will be no more false visions or flattering divinations among the people of Israel. But I the Lord will speak what I will, and it shall be fulfilled without delay. For in your days, you rebellious people, I will fulfill whatever I say, declares the Sovereign Lord.’” The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, the Israelites are saying, ‘The vision he sees is for many years from now, and he prophesies about the distant future.’ Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: None of My words will be delayed any longer; whatever I say will be fulfilled, declares the Sovereign Lord.” v. 21-28.

Can we see what rebellious hearts do to us? In the Exodus, it was Pharaoh and the Egyptians who were rebellious and unrelenting toward God. In removing Israel and Judah from Jerusalem, it was they themselves who were rebellious and unrelenting toward God. And for what? To live lives confined and held bound in darkness without the intimate knowledge of God who loves us as His own? Sometimes, it takes reaching that place where only God can help us understand. And He is there. And as I look back now on that time when I was so angry with God for the awful things happening in our world that I could not comprehend, I realize it was God all along helping me see. We have to see how awful is that darkness before we can long for the light of God’s truth and His love. And then with that longing, we can turn to Him for answers and understanding only Creator God can provide. A turning point. Turn to Him. Take His hand and let Him walk with you and you will begin to experience with Him that spacious place that is His love and His care. It’s a journey toward understanding and it takes time as we let God begin to heal our hearts and minds and spirits. A turning point toward God’s love for each of us where we will begin to know we are loved. Isn’t that what our hearts and spirits long for? Creator God’s love is real and we can trust Him to lead us to a better way with Him.