PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Ezekiel 35-36
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Once again I will yield to Israel’s plea and do this for them…” (Ezekiel 36:37)
When we are immersed in the judgment passages, it is hard to remember that God is loving.
God’s judgment is not the opposite of love, nor does God’s wrath replace God’s grace.
God’s love and grace is what started Israel in the first place.
And God’s love and grace patiently worked with a weak, unfaithful Israel for centuries.
When God finally gives Israel over to their desire for a God-less life, that is when they crash.
God lovingly, graciously lets them leave, and that is when they are ravaged and ruined.
But even then, when they turn back to God and plead for mercy, they receive it.
God once again yields to their plea… this is not the first, nor the last time.
How many times does God forgive; not 7 times but 70 x 7 times (Matthew 18:21-22).
God not only forgives and restores, but also promises a new heart and spirit (36:25-27).
Jesus is God’s ultimate answer to our plea for mercy; God himself steps in to help us.
Through Jesus God cleanses us, gives us a new heart and spirit, putting his Spirit in us.
Be encouraged, God is still loving, gracious and patient, and is still willing to work with us!
By grace I have a new heart and spirit, though it still needs his Spirit in us to help us.
PRAYER
Lord, it seems my new heart and spirit still need your help. Remind me of your “once again” patience as I stumble forward with your Spirit’s help.
Israel needed a heart transplant – so radical surgery was needed – and those who were enlisted to do the surgery gloated over Israel’s plight – they too suffered the consequences of angry God – whose holiness was spit on. God comes through with promises to Israel and says: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” That stubbornness like stone is replaced with a living heart – a heart that has compassion and love for God and neighbour. Lord, remove the stones in my heart and draw me to be more like you Lord Jesus!
New beginnings.
God is forever hiving mankind new beginnings.
We the people continually go astray, following the desires of our own hearts. Not His.
But God continues to show that He is here with us. Emmanuel.
He continues to restore His people ever since the Fall. He continues to cleanse us so that we love His Way, giving Him the praise by our words and deeds. We were made to live in His presence giving glory and honour to His name always.
True life is only a possibility when we walk with the Lord.
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still
And with all who will trust and obey
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey