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Hall of Fame coach Lou Holtz did an interview with a Christian magazine sharing about managing being a big-time coach while still raising a family to love Jesus and honor Him with their conduct. Holtz remarked, “Parenting is a lot like coaching. For me, the philosophy is the same.” He continued to describe his parenting tactics while making a statement that perked my ears up: “I’ve never disciplined my kids. Not once. I’ve never punished my kids.” Hearing this made me begin to question everything he previously said about parenting great kids. Then he dropped this nugget of wisdom as only Lou Holtz can. He said, “I only gave them what they asked for by their actions and words.”

This advice has been transformational to my parenting. I find myself often saying, “I’m not going to punish you, I’m going to give you what you want. If you do this, you will get this, if you don’t, you won’t, the choice is yours.”

That’s exactly what God is doing here with the children of Israel. As the Lord prophecies through the prophet Ezekiel, He shares with them the daunting future that awaits. Nonetheless, He makes it clear in the midst of this judgment that He’s only giving them what their rebellion clearly asked for. “As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I will cut you off completely. I will show you no pity at all because you have defiled my Temple with your vile images and detestable sins.”

God is gracious, but He’s no dictator. He won’t force us into obedience, but He will give us what we ask for. As scary as that may sound, the opposite is also true, if we live a life of obedience and faithfulness, we’ll walk in the promises of God and nothing can stop it.

God is not out to punish us, He simply gives us what we ask for. Let’s live a life that invites His goodness!