Treasure Lord’s Presence (Sep 27)
In a series of visions, Ezekiel next
foresees the what, why and how
of God’s judgment upon Judah.
The what: total destruction of
Jerusalem and the departure
of God’s glory from the temple.
The why: generations of idolatry,
wickedness & spiritual indifference.
The how: thro the cruel Babylonians,
God’s chosen agents of judgment.
But the harshness of the sentence
is tempered by a tender reminder.
A remnant will survive, receive
sanctuary in a foreign country,
and return to the Land of Promise.
Despite the fact that they were
God’s chosen people, loved and
protected by Him, the Israelites
had turned away from Him. Again
the more they worshipped creation
rather than the creator, oppressed
the poor and turned to violence, the
more they argued none their fault.
Ezekiel’s uncompromising message
was that persistent rebellion against
God would result in judgment.
After judgment comes repentance,
before hope and restoration.
Lord, we Reject Idolatry Absolutely.
Lord, we Treasure Your Presence.
Lord, we Receive Undivided Heart.
In Jesus’ precious name we pray.
Lord, we Reject Idolatry in every way:
God then said: Do u see the terrible
sins of the people of Israel? Their
sins are making my holy temple
unfit as a place to worship Me…
Inside I saw the walls were covered
with pictures of… unclean animals,
as well as with idols… I saw about
25 men… their backs were to the
Lord’s temple and they were bowing
down to the rising sun. God said:
It’s bad enough that the people of
Judah are doing these… things.
But they have also spread violence
& injustice everywhere (Ezek 8:6-17)
Lord, we realise the destruction of
Jerusalem was due to idol worship.
Help us guard against idolatry
and anything that is in danger
of taking God’s place in our life.
Help us never forget You are holy,
demanding our respect & worship.
Give us reverent fear of Yr holiness
and adoration of Yr majesty & glory.
O Holy Lord, make us worship You
alone & reign supreme in us. Amen.
Lord, we Treasure Your Presence:
Now the glory of God then left
its place… inside the temple and
moved to the entrance (Ezek 9:3).
Then… the Lord’s glory move from
the entrance of the temple and Stop
above the winged creatures. They
spread their wings and flew into the
air… They Stopped at the east gate
of the temple, and the Lord’s glory
was above them (Ezek 10:18-19).
And the glory of the Lord went up
from the midst of the city & Stood
on the mountain which is on the
east side of the city (Ezek 11:23).
Lord, many in Jerusalem became
complacent and believed God’s
presence would protect them even if
they remained habitually unfaithful.
But now God’s glory was withdrawing
slowly and with evident reluctance.
Lord,we realise taking God’s blessing
and protection for granted is foolish.
We repent of any sin and invite
Your glory to return and Your Spirit
to fill us afresh. In Jesus’ name.
Lord, we Receive Undivided Heart:
Tell the exiles: Although I have
scattered you in the countries
of the world, I will be a sanctuary
to you during your time in exile…
I will give them an undivided heart
and put a new spirit in them;
I will remove from them their
heart of stone and give them
a heart of flesh (Ezek 11:16-19).
Lord, Thank You that You are
always my home and my refuge.
Fill me with love & keep my heart
from wandering away from You.
Make my heart to be undivided
towards You Lord and take away
any hardheartedness within me.
I invite You to take charge of my
mind and emotions and help me
to give complete control to You.
Light a flame of desire within me
for You that never goes out. Amen