#soap # Ezekiel 18 ## Title: God Doesn’t Give Up On Us ## Scripture: (Ezekiel 18:23) “Do I actually delight in the death of the wicked, declares the Sovereign Lord? Do I not prefer that he turn from his wicked conduct and live?” (NET) ## Observation: They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing hoping for a different result. I’m not sure that is completely accurate, but it makes the point. The point is that you cannot expect to get something different from doing the same thing. You have to do something different to get something different. There is another phrase that says, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them.” This phrase means when people act a certain way, believe that is who they are. Don’t listen to their words. Watch their actions. Both of these phrases would indicate that God will give up on us. After all, continually hoping for someone to change their ways after not doing so over and over seems crazy. Also, even though we say we love God, our actions seem to indicate otherwise. But, such is the great mercy of our God, that He continually waits for us to repent and turn back to Him. I’m so thankful He doesn’t listen to catchy slogans when deciding how to treat all of us. ## Application: Is there an area of your life where you need to turn back to God? ## Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for Your unending mercy.