Contemplative Bible Reading

Ezekial 33:11 (New International Version)

Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?’

People love to see other people get what they deserve. That is only fair, and we have a sense of fairness from our childhoods.

Once again, God thinks, feels, and acts differently from us. He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Note, the death of the wicked. The W I C K E D. The wicked are supposed to die. The wicked are supposed to be punished. That is the way things go, right? What is wrong with that?

God would prefer the wicked turning from their ways and living.

What do I prefer? Too often I have taken pleasure in seeing “bad people” be punished, get what they deserve. How often do I wish, do I pray that “bad people” will turn around and be good people? Sadly, not very often.

God, help me to think more like you. Help me to pray for bad people to change their ways. Help me to pray for myself, so that I don’t wish destruction on bad people.