Read Ezekiel 4 – 5
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, am against thee, and will execute judgments in the midst of thee in the sight of the nations. Ezekiel 5:8 KJV
The people of Israel often knew what it was like to have enemies against them. From the time they entered the land, not only did they fight against enemies within the Land of Promise, but also enemies from outside the land who crossed their borders. On all such occasions God was on their side, He fought in behalf of Israel against their enemies. To have God with you and against your enemies is a tremendous advantage. This becomes evident when you read some of the battles. But Israel forgot what a great privilege they enjoyed, forsook the Lord, and committed abominations against Him which were worst than the nations around them. So God set Himself against Jerusalem, the heart of the nation. If having God on your side is a great advantage then having God against you is the greatest disadvantage. Jerusalem was destroyed and the people were taken into captivity.
Lord, I can not imagine a more frightening prospect than to have You against me. That would be utter hopelessness! Instead, I am grateful for the promises of Your Word that assure me of Your presence (Romans 8:31). However, if You spared not Israel, help me never think I can live in a way that sits me against You without consequences.
A question to ponder: What do people lose when God is against them rather than for them?
