Changed by His Holiness (Sep 26)
While Jeremiah is preaching about
the judgment of God on Judah and
awaiting the final fall of Jerusalem,
Ezekiel is 600 miles away in Babylon
interpreting God’s judgment to
those Jews already in captivity.
Though Ezekiel’s preaching is
similar to Jeremiah’s proclaiming
doom for the disobedient – it also
contains large doses of hope and
instruction. The 70-year exile will
teach God’s people that I am the
Lord (a phrase repeated more than
50 times in the book) thus preparing
them for their day of restoration.
Ezekiel saw a vision that revealed
God’s absolute moral perfection.
God was spiritually and morally
superior to members of Israel’s
corrupt and compromising society.
Because God is perfect, He can
help us live above our tendency
to compromise with this world.
Lord, we will Respond as You Lead.
Lord, we will Look Out for others.
Lord, we will Purpose to Be Faithful.
In Jesus’ precious name we pray.
Lord, we will Respond as You Lead:
Stand up son of man, said the voice.
I want to speak with you. The
Spirit came into me as He spoke,
and He set me on my feet…
I am sending you to say to (the
nation of Israel): This is what the
Sovereign LORD says: And whether
they listen or refuse to listen –
for remember – they are rebels – at
least they will know they have had
a prophet among them (Ezek 2:1-5)
Sovereign Lord, I am standing at
attention to hear You and ready to
move at the sound of Your voice.
I want our encounters to change me
no matter how subtly or radically.
Make plain Your words for us and
fills us who believe with Your Spirit.
Give me words to say, feelings to
portray and thoughts to convey.
Help me to live in sync with You
Lord and Fill me with the heart
of Your Mission. In Jesus’ name.
Lord, we will Look Out for others:
Seven days after I had seen the
brightness of the Lord’s glory,
the Lord said: Ezekiel, son of man,
I have appointed you a watchman
for the people of Israel. So listen to
what I say, then warn them for me.
When I tell wicked people they will
die because of their sins, you must
warn them to turn from sinful ways so
they won’t be punished (Ez 3:16-18)
Lord, a watchman is the ultimate
responsible job, for if the person
doesn’t do it properly people will die.
Judgment is an unpopular topic,
but it is still the consequence of
sin and people need to be warned.
Thank Lord for those who have the
courage to stand & speak the truth.
Help us Lord to rise above our fears,
to speak for You & for gospel. Amen
Lord, we purpose to Be Faithful:
I will leave a remnant of my people
escape destruction; and they will
be scattered among the nations…
Then… they will remember me.
They will recognise how grieved
I am by their unfaithful hearts..that
long for other gods. Then at last
they will hate themselves for all
their wickedness. They will know
that I alone am the Lord & that I was
serious when I predicted that all this
would happen to them(Ezek 6:8-10)
Lord, share Your feelings with me;
and connect me to Your experiences.
I am sorry for the pain that You feel.
I purpose not to be unfaithful to You.
May You not have to grieve over me.
And may Your grieve over others
bind us together and draw them
to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.