Ezekiel 48:35 - "The four sides of the city measure to a total of nearly six miles. From now on the name of the city will be Yahweh-Shammah: 'God is There.' " How beautiful is that! God welcomed them and invaded their homes. "It was---and is---My Plan A to bring the dry bones of My selfish people to life [Ezekiel 37], to create a community over which I could write the words that close this book: 'The LORD is There.' "
As we close the book of Ezekiel, take a moment and listen to what one thing God said to you as you watched and wondered about Ezekiel's life? For me, it was God's Voice speaking to me about rejoicing in my suffering...
What is it that I want more than the pleasure of my God? Do I want justice in the face of looking like a failure more than I want to worship Him? "The power of our flesh is turned loose in the ways we relate." 66 LL. May the Hope of Joy in suffering now so grip my heart! Will I celebrate? Does my present difficult circumstances in relationships and loss and confusion cause me to worship my Beautiful God all the more? If I'm not worshipping Him in my pain, I'm not rejoicing in suffering. And if so, I'm not aware of my redemption. May our hands not be over our eyes and ears but awestruck over our mouths at what HE has already done for me and for you! Mold your world for your own Goals OR mark your day for His Glory! HE is right here.
As we close the book of Ezekiel, take a moment and listen to what one thing God said to you as you watched and wondered about Ezekiel's life? For me, it was God's Voice speaking to me about rejoicing in my suffering...
What is it that I want more than the pleasure of my God? Do I want justice in the face of looking like a failure more than I want to worship Him? "The power of our flesh is turned loose in the ways we relate." 66 LL. May the Hope of Joy in suffering now so grip my heart! Will I celebrate? Does my present difficult circumstances in relationships and loss and confusion cause me to worship my Beautiful God all the more? If I'm not worshipping Him in my pain, I'm not rejoicing in suffering. And if so, I'm not aware of my redemption. May our hands not be over our eyes and ears but awestruck over our mouths at what HE has already done for me and for you! Mold your world for your own Goals OR mark your day for His Glory! HE is right here.
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Bev, you referenced the verse that got my attention today, "The Lord is There." Whenever I start sliding down a slippery slope, God sends me a lifeline. You are it today. I admire you more than I can say for your ability to keep going on. In spite of all the dissapointments, problems, etc., God is There! As you hold fast, I will hold fast. I will make sure I welcome Him into the my home and heart today.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that we're done with this book. Lots of hard things in Ezekiel. I know we have many prophets to go but I'm ready for the good news of Jesus! Even so, God is speaking to me through these hard words of Ezekiel and causing me to examine my heart. Always a good thing, I guess.
ReplyDeleteFor my one thing from Ezekiel, 66LL says it best: "See My glory, this time not in holy wrath but now in merciful love, in My plan to free you to dance with Me. But my mercy is severe. My love stops at nothing to bring in My kingdom, to renew my people, to draw My servants into radical dependence on Me as their first thing.".
His severe mercy was certainly on display in Ezekiel but I'm to understand it more and to see God more clearly in the midst of the terror and destruction.
Chapter 47: The Healing Waters
ReplyDelete"And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live...and everything will live wherever the river goes." Ezekiel 47:9 NKJ
Praying for that river to touch relationships, marriages, my family, our country...and all the things on your heart today.
Jesus is still inviting thirsty people to come to Him and drink.
Bev, praying for you this morning.
FG
I'm with you, Cici. Glad to be done with Ezekiel. What I leave Ezekiel with is the reality of God's destruction. In light of eternity, no trash, no impurities will be allowed. So radical obedience is required. Ezekiel passed the test. He was by no means a "people pleaser." He didn't flench when God called. He answered with faithfulness despite the horrible news he was required to convey. I guess the thing that kept me shaking my head were the words "and then they'll know that I am God." It just seems like such a simple requirement, but do we really know that we know that He is Lord of every detail of our lives? I'm still pondering that one.
ReplyDeleteLove reading with you ladies.