“So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me. 8 When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you shall surely die!’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. 9 Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul. 10 “Therefore you, O son of man, say to the house of Israel: ‘Thus you say, “If our transgressions and our sins lie upon us, and we pine away in them, how can we then live?” ’ 11 Say to them: ‘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, O house of Israel?’ Ezekiel 33:7-11 NKJV
“‘For thus says the Lord God: “Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day.'” Ezekiel 34:11-12 NKJV
Lord God and Father,
Here we find You, God giving Ezekiel a different role to Prophet. That is one who speaks judgement for sin. Role of a watchman. Not to warn of the enemies approach – too late for that. But because You never give up and show that they still have an opportunity to see You as redeemer if they repent and change.
And You gracefully assure Ezekiel (who failed to get through to them previously) that their response is not his responsibility. He is just is the messenger. Though that is sometimes a dangerous occupation. As Paul reminded us in his first letter to the Corinthians, “So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.” (1 Corinthians 3:7). Ezekiel is simply to watch and call out Your good news
This is a deeply moving passage. Previously they have been told of their sin and the judgement. And judgement has happened. Now Ezekiel is telling them there is still forgiveness – but not at any price. You God even ask them why do they want to die? There is an alternative. As Peter reminds us in His second letter, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9). Life is a choice – to bow to the world and die or bow in worship, wonder and obedience to You and live.
In Jesus name we give thanks, Amen.
Worship Saturday 15th August 2026
This song was written in 2013 but I believe was released in 2025. I have put up two versions both th same music. The first one just with lyrics. The second showing the author performing it but has no lyrics.
I will choose you lord, over and over again
I will choose your way, over and over again
There is no going back to the place that I used to be
Help me to know you more, more, more
I will choose you lord, over and over again
I will choose your way, over and over again
There is no going back to the place that I used to be
Help me to know you more, more, more
Help me to seek you more, more, more
Lord you got my heart
(oh, yeah, yeah, ye-eah)
Lord you got my heart
I will choose you lord, over and over again
I will choose your ways, over and over again
There is no going back to the place that I used to be
I am not going back to the path where I used to be lord
Lord, I give you all my life, Father, I give you all my life (Yeah)
I give you all my life (yea, yeah, yeah)
I will choose you lord, over and over again
I will choose your way, over and over again
There is no going back to the place that I used to be
No-no, no-no, no (No-no, no, no, no)
No-no, no-no, no (No)
I’m not going back (I’m not going back)
I’m not going back (I will stay here with you)
I’m not going back (hmm) oh
I’m not going back (Not going back)
Father, I’m not going back (I’m not going back)
I’m not going back (Not going back)
Father, I’m not going back
I’m sticking to your promises
I’m not going back (No, no)
Father, I’m not going back (I’m not going back)
I’m not going back (I’m not going back) oh
I’m not going back
Lyrics: Timothy Joseph Onoja