It was built to protect life, yet... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2024

As I live, says the LORD God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die?
Ezekiel 33:11

It was built to protect life, yet there is death at that very place! Despite security measures many marine birds are still killed through flying towards the light of a lighthouse. Lighthouses are built on the coast; their light shines by night and in storms. Birds fly against the windows so violently that they are thrown back into the waves and are washed up later on to the beach.

It sounds bitter and cruel: the birds lose their life for hitting something built to save life.

The gospel shines like the light of a lighthouse. God's grace and love are revealed to bring ­people into a safe harbour, to Jesus Christ. Everyone could be saved, but many refuse the gospel. They resemble the birds: they stumble at God's message, struggle against the light and are lost for eternity.

Maybe someone knows the good news of Jesus Christ very well; he has heard it or read it in the Bible. He possibly hears or sings hymns and almost certainly knows people who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. But they themselves reject the gospel and are lost!

In the epistle to the Romans we read that the gospel is "the power of God to salvation". It reveals God's love and grace. But simultaneously with the gospel the righteousness and the wrath of God are revealed: "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men" (Romans 1:16 & 18).

Today's reading: Judges 6:28-40 · 2 Corinthians 6:11-18