What God Enjoys

Tell them that as surely as I am the living LORD God, I don't like to see wicked people die. 

I enjoy seeing them turn from their sins and live.

(Ezekiel 33:11 Contemporary English Version)

I love this verse! After 32 chapters of visions and messages warning of terrible judgments for their idolatry and wickedness to all the Middle East countries of his time, Ezekiel gets this message. 

Many people think of God as a mean old man with a long gray beard who is just waiting to zap them for every mistake they might make, a stern and unyielding judge who doesn't want anyone to have any fun. Yes, God must judge, but that is not what he enjoys! The reason for all the dire warnings is so that God does not have to punish or judge. That brings no joy to our Creator. People turning from sin and living--now that is the thing that brings him pleasure!

View from Mount Washburn in Yellowstone National Park. Just a little bit of the beauty of our Creator's world.