Marissa Henley

Encouraging weary women to hope in Christ alone

The Righteous Son {First 5}

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I’m sharing a teaching from Ezekiel 18 today in the First 5 app. Here’s a preview . . .

Ezekiel 18:32 (ESV) “For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord GOD; so turn, and live.”

Though I’ve learned most of what I know about the American legal system from watching crime dramas on television, I know this: In our imperfect world, sometimes the innocent are convicted and the guilty go free. It’s not fair. It’s not impartial. It’s not just.

But in God’s courtroom, the right verdict is always given. We learn in Ezekiel 18 that all souls belong to God, and He gives to each person what they deserve. (Ezekiel 18:4) We also see God’s desire to grant mercy to those who repent of their sin. (Ezekiel 18:21)

God’s Just Judgment

In Ezekiel 18, God responds to the Israelites’ complaints during their exile in Babylon. They accuse God of unfairly punishing them for the sin of previous generations, using a popular proverb of the day. (Ezekiel 18:2) Instead of accepting the consequences for their sin, they blame others and cry, “This isn’t fair!”

God lays out a defense of His justice using three examples: a righteous man, (Ezekiel 18:5-9) the righteous man’s wicked son (Ezekiel 18:10-13) and the wicked man’s righteous son. (Ezekiel 18:14-20) Each man receives what his own righteousness or wickedness deserves, regardless of the behavior of his son or his father. (Ezekiel 18:20)

God is a righteous Judge. And in God’s courtroom, Israel stands convicted of injustice and sin. They questioned God’s character, but it is their character that is found lacking. (Ezekiel 18:29-30) Their guilt deserves a death sentence. (Ezekiel 18:4) And yet, God offers them a chance to repent and pass from death to life. (Ezekiel 18:21; John 5:24)

To read the rest of the teaching and join us for our study of Ezekiel, you can head over to the First 5 website or download the free app! I hope you’ll check it out!

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God’s Unfailing Purpose {First 5}

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I’m sharing an audio teaching today over at First 5 in our new study of Ezekiel. I told the story of my biggest failure ever at work, when I managed to shut down the internet of an entire university. It was a rough day! But through that failure (and so many others!), God has taught me to trust the One who never fails. I’d love for you to check out the teaching here or download the First 5 app and join us as we continue through Ezekiel!

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God’s Powerful Preparation {First 5}

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I’m sharing today over at First 5 in our new study of Ezekiel. I’d love to have you join us in the First 5 app! Here’s a preview . . .

When I face a task that I don’t feel equipped to tackle, I get frustrated. I reach for the sugar canister and find it lacking the full cup my recipe needs. Or I’m afraid there’s not enough gas left in my tank, literally or figuratively. Maybe you’ve felt that way, wondering if you have what it takes to complete your work at the office or in your home.

In Ezekiel 3, God commissions Ezekiel to speak to his fellow exiles and then guarantees they will not listen. Ezekiel’s difficult assignment prompts him to sit for seven days, overwhelmed by deep distress. (Ezekiel 3:15) But as we continue through this book, we’ll see that Ezekiel isn’t simply an overwhelmed prophet — he’s an obedient prophet who’s been equipped by God for this task. God prepares Ezekiel through the power of His Word, the proper perspective and the presence of His Spirit.

You can read the rest of the teaching or find out more about First 5 over on their website. I hope you’ll check it out!

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Who Are You Trusting? {First 5 App}

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I’m thrilled to be contributing to the First 5 app of Proverbs 31 Ministries. Today I shared a teaching on Psalm 115. Here’s a sneak peek . . . You can read the rest of it here, or download the app to join in this study of the Psalms!

Psalm 115:11 (ESV) “You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.”

On a spring morning during my senior year of college, I wept in my professor’s office as the identity I spent my life building tumbled to the floor. I’d always been a star student, but my senior research project didn’t go as planned. I wouldn’t graduate with honors, and I was crushed.

The pain of that moment remains poignant two decades later because I still struggle with making idols of my reputation, my accomplishments and my gifts. But God’s Word shows us the truth about these shaky foundations. In Psalm 115, we see the danger of trusting what our hands have made rather than trusting the Lord who made us.

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