Return to the Sovereign Lord
Pyungwon Hyosuk Lee
Ezekiel 28:11-26
Todays text concerns the prophecy of Tyre and Sidons downfall.
Whether it be money, human relations, reputation, or jobs, all will fall and be lost at the end of our lives. We must receive the infallible heavens by returning to the Sovereign Lord through our trials. Let us learn how to do this through the text.
First, we realize our trials are the perfect seal of God.
A lament is an elegy for the dead Tyre is doomed. Seals as in verse 12 reveal its holders identity and status. As believers, our status is that of Gods perfect seal so as to represent God, but I was not able to live such a life. I was brought up receiving much love in a non-believing family as the eldest daughter of educators. In my third year of middle school, I followed my friend to a church retreat where I met God. I was accepted into S university, the aspiration of many. I chose to marry the son of a wealthy family, and together we did our Masters in the States and returned. But upon returning from the funeral of my mother, who had died fighting blood cancer, my husband started cheating on me, culminating in twenty-five years of leading a double life. Infidelity was almost bearable with some faith, resignation, and patience. However, I could not stand my husbands persistent obsession with one woman to the point that I lamented to God that I would have to divorce or die to get out of this situation.
It was at that time that the quiet time text Revelations 1:9 made me accept my husbands double life as my Patmos island through my trials, I found greater brotherhood in the community participating in Jesuss tribulations, kingdom, and endurance. When I was living in chaos, God engraved the trials of my husbands disloyalty and polished me so that I may live as Gods seal.
Second, we must listen to the words 'you sinned.'
Judgement will be as large as the pleasure acquired from the world. 'So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones.' God finds us running towards the world unbearable and exiles us, reduces us to ash so that the people who know us will fear. Once the subject of envy, our family, through my husbands cheating, was thrown to the earth and made a spectacle. Even our wealth evaporated with bankruptcy and my husband went to prison, reducing us to ash. I complained that I would have rather been ruined earlier how could I cope with poverty after all this time with plenty. But I recalled Isaiah chapter 6 verse 13 and my teary confession that even if our household would fall even further from bankruptcy, I would believe that God will leave a stump. I felt the great love of God for patiently waiting for me, knowing my level. I found the courage that though I cannot walk through the tribulations ahead, the Lord will carry me through them. Our house went on auction and we struggled to pay our bills, but we were able to pass through. I was able to deliver the Word to my husband, and now he is part of the community.
Third, there will be punishment that proves the Lord holy.
Sidon was at the epicenter of Baal worship their king was Ethbaal. Israel king Ahabs wife Jezebel was Ethbaals daughter and she made all of Israel worship Baal, thereby incurring Gods wrath. The broken relationship of their parents, bankruptcy, and consequent financial struggles led to our first childs delinquency and behavioral disorders and the seconds having to take drugs for ADHD and learning disabilities. As this went on for a long time, my Tyre-like conceit completely collapsed. Seeing my son scream, demanding to know why I gave birth to him, I realized that my faithless marriage was a sin. I came to recognize that my son was going through turmoil so that I could see my sins that I would not have been able to in a comfortable environment. I kneeled before my son and apologized. Through daily quiet time the Lords glory was displayed in my familys judgment and let the people around us know that God is the Lord.
Fourth, they will live in safety upon returning to the Sovereign Lord.
One day, my eldest son told me his girlfriend was pregnant. Having heard the word and many confessions, he had persuaded his girlfriend not to abort with their spirits low, my son and his girlfriend came to long for service. At each temptation of abortion, the community prayed strongly that life would be saved. Eventually, we were able to persuade the opposing girlfriends family, my husband, and my in-laws to hold a marriage. My husband returned to church through our sons marriage. My son and daughter-in-law fought so hard the police were called, but thanks to many mokjas dedication, they were able to settle in the community to do their parts as husband, dad, wife, and mother. Even our second son went on to college and is now part of the youth community, serving as deputy-mokja. I was Tyre, but God led me to return to the Sovereign Lord and into safety. I pray and believe that God will lead you to safety too.
The following confession is from the community. This members mother worked through the night and only came back home after morning prayers. She pitied her mother and tried to be a good girl. She walked tip-toe trying not to wake her up. When her father raped her she did not say anything. Trying to find a place that needed her, she came to befriend bullied, poor kids from dysfunctional families. She was evicted from a church for committing adultery. Everyday, she wanted to die. It was then that she came to our church to share her life and have it interpreted the joy of it gave her peace for the first time in her life. Her life interpreted and a path to life found, her resentment for ever having been born is now replaced with the healing life of accepting the parents that made her believe are the best parents. Trials will come and go, but realizing them as God putting his seal on you, listening to the words that tell of your sins, and returning to the Sovereign Lord will grant peace. I sincerely hope you will all experience the grace of you and your family returning to the Sovereign Lord.
