What practical steps can we take to align with God's will, avoiding judgment? God’s Warning Echoed in Ezekiel 26:19 “For this is what the Lord GOD says: When I make you a ruined city, like cities no longer inhabited, when I bring the deep upon you and its great waters cover you,” • Tyre’s downfall shows how quickly prosperity and pride can drown beneath God’s judgment. • The imagery of the sea covering the city reminds us that unrepentant sin eventually gets “submerged” under divine justice (Jeremiah 18:7-8). • Because God’s character never changes, the warning still stands: turn or be swept away (Hebrews 13:8). Heart Responses That Please Him • Humility—“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). • Submission—“Submit yourselves, then, to God” (James 4:7). • Repentance—“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive” (1 John 1:9). • Justice, Mercy, Humility—“Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly” (Micah 6:8). Daily Habits That Keep Us Aligned 1. Engage Scripture – Read, meditate, and memorize: “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin” (Psalm 119:11). 2. Pray with Transparency – Honest confession, yielded petitions (Proverbs 28:13). 3. Renew the Mind – Reject cultural molds; allow truth to reshape thinking (Romans 12:2). 4. Walk by the Spirit – Depend on His power to resist fleshly impulses (Galatians 5:16). 5. Practice Generous Stewardship – Tyre’s wealth fueled arrogance; we honor God by open-handed giving (2 Corinthians 9:7). 6. Cultivate Christ-centered Community – Mutual exhortation keeps hearts tender (Hebrews 3:13). Ongoing Course Corrections • Keep a short account—daily confession prevents buildup of hidden sin. • Welcome accountability—invite trusted believers to speak truth in love. • Respond quickly—delayed obedience is disobedience; align at the first conviction. • Remember consequences—Tyre’s watery grave urges vigilance (Proverbs 3:5-6). Hope-Filled Motivation • God longs to relent: “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish” (2 Peter 3:9). • Repentant hearts move Him to restore: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you” (James 4:10). • Walking in obedience brings healing, not harm: “If My people…turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear…forgive…and heal” (2 Chronicles 7:14). Living out these steps keeps us above the floodwaters of judgment, aligned with His good, pleasing, and perfect will. |
    |