Re: Verse reading–Psalm 119:9-16; Acts 17:10-12; 2 Timothy 3:14-17 (Day Three)
“Do not let me stray from your commands.” Songs don’t get much darker than this old hymn’s take on the fallen human condition: “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it.” That song gets it, and the psalmist knew it to be true long before that: The spirit might be willing, but the flesh is weaker than we thought. Sometimes, we’d rather sin than breathe. Our weakened selves need the words of scripture to brace us, to allow us to stand and take faltering steps Christward. Read, read.
Treasure
Re: Verse reading–Psalm 119:9-16; Acts 17:10-12; 2 Timothy 3:14-17 (day two)
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11
I read a lot. Sometimes I find that when I read my mind is cleared up to think and dream and discover. C.S. Lewis said that you don’t really know a book until you’ve read it again, and again. Although I keep buying books, I am drawn back to those that really speak to me. Passages are highlighted, notes are written into the margin, and pages are dog-eared. If you listen closely to my daily conversations those same passages make their way into my speech. My thoughts become transformed by what my mind has consumed. Isn’t that what the Psalmist was saying? Hiding these truths in our hearts will transform our minds. Our love of Scripture is as much protection as it is instruction. The beauty of reading a good book again is that each time I have aged some, grown some and therefore the story impacts me differently. When I read scripture it affects me in a similar fashion. Each time I read the Word, God reveals a new truth to me that I didn’t see before. Keep that treasure stored well!
Honey
Re: Verse reading–Psalm 119:9-16; Acts 17:10-12; 2 Timothy 3:14-17 (day one)
44 summers ago. I was 17 years old. A believer for only a few months, I was on a retreat with the Campus Crusade for Christ group through whom I had first heard the invitation of grace. The retreat center had a book table. “See that Bible?” my friend said. “Buy it and begin reading it every day.” I did, and all these years later I look back with wonder at the life-changing power of that simple turning point. My experience has been like Ezekiel’s. “Son of man. . . eat this scroll. . . I ate it, and it was sweet as honey in my mouth.” (Ezekiel 3:1,3) Again and again, I have found in Scripture the wisdom, challenge, conviction and hope of an Eternal mind. Today we begin a summer series of studies on spiritual disciplines. My heart rejoices that the first discipline is Bible study. Ancient path. Way of freedom. Searching the Scripture, together. Sweet!
Our Undiscouraged God
Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 10:18-19; 11:22-23; 40:1-2; 43:1-9 (day seven)
“They defiled my holy name by their detestable practices. So I destroyed them in my anger. Now let them put away from me their prostitution and the lifeless idols of their kings, and I will live among them forever.” (43:8-9) When the Bible says that “His mercies are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:23) it means the Eternal One is not discouraged or weary with His plan to restore the world. Our sin has not defeated Him, nor changed His promise, nor weakened His bright resolve! True, our rebellion has been very costly to us and our children and the cosmos, but THE VICTORY IS AS CERTAIN AS IT HAS EVER BEEN. What a privilege it is to receive this gracious invitation. “Put away” the practices of sin! He will “live among” us forever. What is out of balance will be restored to an eternal equilibrium. It is an unchanging offer of grace from an undiscouraged God.
Mine eye have seen the GLORY
Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 10:18-19; 11:22-23; 40:1-2; 43:1-9 (day six)
“And I saw the GLORY of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with his GLORY.” (43:2) “Mine eyes have seen the GLORY of the coming of the Lord.”—Julia Ward Howe. Whether civil war song or prophet’s vision, the hope is the same. Christ will come to His people with great GLORY. The Hebrew word for GLORY is kabod. It came from the word kabed which meant “heavy”. Heavy as compared to plastic or disposable. A contrast to a world that is not real, substantial and eternal. Ultimately, His GLORIOUS coming is the only hope for this sin-sick, self-spent world. God, Himself, will be the light and the justice. “For the Son of Man is going to come in the GLORY of His Father with His angels, and will repay every man according to his deeds.” (Matthew 16:27) GLORY? GLORY. Hallelujah!
Leading Lessons
Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 10:18-19, 11:22-23; 40:1-2; 43:1-9 (day five)
In the verses between the listed passages is an ironic scene. Found in the first few verses of chapter 11, Ezekiel is now at the east gate where 25 “leaders” are discussing new building projects for the city. Really??!! Talk about clueless!! The irony is two fold: 1-They are totally unaware of the destruction taking place, 2- They are in the very spot where the Glory of the Lord just passed. What a sad picture of a leader. Good leaders recognize where God’s presence is, and where it isn’t. Good leaders strive to understand God’s plan and purpose. Good leaders listen, look, and learn so that they can influence others to find the Lord. Good leaders are desperate for God’s presence to be where they are (homes, churches, nations). May all who lead, learn these lessons!!
The Gospel Message
RE Verse reading–Ezekiel 10:18-19, 11:22-23; 40:1-2; 43:1-9 (day four)
At least two things permeate this passage…the glory of God and His promise of hope. Ezekiel’s visions are of the indescribable majesty and glory of the Lord. Israel’s disobedience has separated them from God’s glory. It was Ezekiel’s job to deliver God’s message to His people. If Israel would put away their harlotry and repent of their iniquities, God would dwell among them forever. This was 25 years into their captivity of 70 years…it was the beginning of Passover. Passover was a celebration of God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt. Here He was promising to do it again. All Israel had to do was repent and turn from their disobedience and God would live among them forever. Forgiveness from sin, eternal life…what a promise. Don’t you wish we could have a promise like that?
Among
Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 10:18-19; 11:22-23; 40:1-2; 43:1-9 (Day Three)
“Now let them put away from me their prostitution and the funeral offerings for their kings, and I will live among them forever.” The words of the prophet Ezekiel join the writing of John in Revelation as brimming with the most hope in all of scripture. John writes: “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them.’” To live among us—this is what God intends. It is the future of the human race—those of that race who count on Christ. How will you live today—what will you think about, where will you go, what will you give your time to—knowing that God will make his home among us?
Many Waters
Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 10:18-19, 11:22-23; 40:1-2; 43:1-9 (day two).
And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. And the sound of his coming was like the sound of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory. (Ezekiel 43:2 ESV) Last week we read how the Lord breathed the breath of life into the dry bones. The Spirit of God moved among them and filled them with life by the sweet life-giving breath. Now he speaks with a different voice. Have you stood on the beach and heard the mighty roar of the ocean before? Unrelenting, powerful, unequalled. He still speaks, but which voice will get our attention?
Ichabod
Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 10:18-19, 11:22-23; 40:1-2; 43:1-9 (day one)
“And she called the boy Ichabod, saying, ‘the glory has departed from Israel.’ ” (1 Samuel 4:21) Old story. The daughter-in-law of Eli, upon hearing the news of a great defeat and the enemy capture of the Ark of the Covenant, kneels down and gives birth and dies. (On how many levels can sin be tragic?) Before death comes, she names the boy Ichabod, which means “the glory of God has departed.” Years later, it happens again. Not the birth, but the departure of God’s glory, God’s protection/power. Ezekiel sees it in a vision. “The glory of the Lord departed from the threshold of the temple.” (10:18) Then later, “the glory of the Lord went up from the midst of the city, and stood over the mountain which is east of the city.” (11:23) Graphic. Sobering. It is what David dreaded, “Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take Thy Holy Spirit from me.” (Psalm 51:11)