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But even if he does not…. (devo reflection)

Daniel 3:15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”

God doesn’t always act the way we want Him to. He doesn’t always bring the healing we feel is warranted in the way we feel it should happen. Sometimes bad things happen. Sometimes healing comes in Heaven instead of on earth. That doesn’t mean God is absent or unconcerned.

Daniel 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.

Faith isn’t fickle. God can do all things. Nothing is impossible with Him. A lack of healing or lack of answers we wanted doesn’t mean we weren’t faithful enough or that God’s absent or inattentive. It means God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8). It means His will is not ours. It means we have to trust.

Daniel 3:17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand.

Lord, Help me to have the faith of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, to know in my heart, in my soul, that no matter the situation, You are “able to deliver us from it, and You will deliver us from” it, but even if You do not, even if my will, my prayer is not Your answer, help me to continue strong in the faith that You are with me, that You love me, that You are working for my good and Your glory. Always. Amen.

Daniel 3:18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Have a blessed day.

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Put God first, and help others…. (devo reflection)

Daniel 2:17 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.

Daniel seems an exceptionally humble young man. Was he always like that? Was this humility granted after the test at the end of chapter 1? Nothing in this chapter seems self-seeking. He isn’t patting his own back, resting on his own merit, singing his own praises. His heart seems to be in the right place: put God first, and help others.

Daniel 2:18 He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

I consider myself to be a fairly decent person, but I know I still have a long way to go. In the realm of “Put God first, and help others,” I’m awfully bad to start qualifying  my help according to the world and my own prejudices. I’ve mentioned that God’s been working on me for a long time in the realm of humility, of emptying me of myself so God can fill me. I am a work in progress.

Daniel 2:19 During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven…

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the progress You have made in me in the area of humility. It’s slow and painstaking progress, but it is absolutely progress, and I am grateful. Empty me of myself. Fill me with Your love, grace, compassion, peace. Help me to put You first and help others, always. Amen.

Daniel 2:30 As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have greater wisdom than anyone else alive, but so that Your Majesty may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind.

Have a blessed day.

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A better approach…. (devo reflection)

Daniel 1:8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.

One thing I have come to realize about conflict on social media is that it seems designed to inflame passions and insight knee-jerk reactions. Interestingly, I think there is a lot to be learned from Daniel 1 about a better approach to dealing with conflict in today’s society.

Daniel 1:11-13 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.”

Daniel is firm in his convictions and rational in his approach. He doesn’t demand anything of the guard. He explains his position and proposes an experiment so the guard can test his concerns. He also recognizes the guard’s concerns and the reason behind those concerns, which are grounded in fear for the guard’s own well-being. The outcome is incredibly positive for all.

Daniel 1:14-15 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.

Lord, Help us to approach each other, especially in conflict, with humility, compassion, and common sense instead of inflamed emotions and knee-jerk reactions. Help us to have level heads and grace-filled hearts as we relate to each other—especially those we fear, don’t like, or don’t understand. Draw us closer to You as we strive to live a life that glorifies You in the world. Amen.

Daniel 1:17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

Have a blessed day.

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The Lord is there…. (Devo reflection)

Ezekiel 48:35 “The distance all around will be 18,000 cubits. “And the name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE.”

Once again, this chapter is full of measurements and numbers. I’m left wondering about the spiritual lesson or point. And then I came to the last line: “The LORD is there.” That hope, the reminder, that assurance—God is there.

Ezekiel 48:35 “The distance all around will be 18,000 cubits. “And the name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE.”

There are days, lots and lots of days, where that reminder—of God’s presence and steadfastness, even on my worst days—is what makes all the difference. In the chaos and confusion, in the pain and despair, in the ordinary, in the beautiful…God is there.

Ezekiel 48:35 “The distance all around will be 18,000 cubits. “And the name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE.”

Lord, Thank You for Your presence, for Your love, for Your grace. Thank You for being there, even on the tough days, especially then. Amen.

Ezekiel 48:35 “The distance all around will be 18,000 cubits. “And the name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE.”

Have a blessed day. I love you.

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Trust God…. (devo reflection)

Ezekiel 47:15 “This is to be the boundary of the land: “On the north side it will run from the Mediterranean Sea by the Hethlon road past Lebo Hamath to Zedad….

There is some debate in commentary about whether this is a real, physical place or a spiritual promise. I kind of think that question misses the point.

Ezekiel 47:18 “On the east side the boundary will run between Hauran and Damascus, along the Jordan between Gilead and the land of Israel, to the Dead Sea and as far as Tamar. This will be the eastern boundary.

The point is that God has a perfect plan, He plans for us a hope and a future. It may not look anything like we had hoped or imagined, but we can trust Him.

Ezekiel 47:19 “On the south side it will run from Tamar as far as the waters of Meribah Kadesh, then along the Wadi of Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea. This will be the southern boundary.

Lord, I get so caught up in plans and details, in worrying about the small stuff. Help me to trust You and Your promises, even through the chaos and upheaval of life. Amen.

Ezekiel 47:20 “On the west side, the Mediterranean Sea will be the boundary to a point opposite Lebo Hamath. This will be the western boundary.

Have a blessed day. I love you.

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Sacrifices and offerings…. (devo reflection)

Ezekiel 46:12 “‘When the prince provides a freewill offering to the Lord—whether a burnt offering or fellowship offerings—the gate facing east is to be opened for him. He shall offer his burnt offering or his fellowship offerings as he does on the Sabbath day. Then he shall go out, and after he has gone out, the gate will be shut.

There is much mention in this chapter of sacrifices and offerings. I find the timing interesting as Lent started yesterday, a time where many give up something they enjoy as a sacrifice to God. But there are so many scriptures that reiterate the need to go beyond sacrifice.

Ezekiel 46:13 “‘Every day you are to provide a year-old lamb without defect for a burnt offering to the Lord; morning by morning you shall provide it.

Proverbs 21:3 “To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.” Hosea 6:6 “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” Hebrews 13:16 “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”

Ezekiel 46:14 You are also to provide with it morning by morning a grain offering, consisting of a sixth of an ephah with a third of a hin of oil to moisten the flour. The presenting of this grain offering to the Lord is a lasting ordinance.

Lord, In this season of Lent, where so many are actively tuned to sacrifice for You, help us to tune in to the sacrifices that really matter to You—sacrificing our pride to do for others (even those we deem unworthy of our time, especially those), sacrificing our comfort to seek justice, sacrificing our complacency to love others with Your love. Help us, Lord. Amen.

Ezekiel 46:15 So the lamb and the grain offering and the oil shall be provided morning by morning for a regular burnt offering.

Have a blessed day.

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Keep on keeping on…. (devo reflection)

Ezekiel 45:21 “‘In the first month on the fourteenth day you are to observe the Passover, a festival lasting seven days, during which you shall eat bread made without yeast.

Today is one of those days where nothing seems to stick, nothing seems to make sense. I’ve read the text twice and read the commentary thoroughly and I’m scratching my head wondering what God wants me to get from this. There are lots of sevens in this chapter. Maybe He has a message about perfection and completion.

Ezekiel 45:22 On that day the prince is to provide a bull as a sin offering for himself and for all the people of the land.

Or maybe His message today is much more elemental: Despite my best efforts, sometimes life just doesn’t make sense. It’s messy and awkward and uncomfortable. If that’s the case, what’s the point? If I had to guess, it would be to keep on keeping on, to put my faith and trust in Him, that He has a plan, to keep seeking, keep searching, keep trying, even in the face of futility. To not give up. To keep striving for Him. Jesus, Help me.

Ezekiel 45:23 Every day during the seven days of the festival he is to provide seven bulls and seven rams without defect as a burnt offering to the Lord, and a male goat for a sin offering.

Lord, Help me, on days like today when everything feels a little off, when nothing makes a ton of sense, when the effort just feels too hard, Help me to persevere, to trust You, to seek You, to praise You. Help me to see You, Your miraculous love and grace, with every breath. And help me to share Your love with others. Amen.

Ezekiel 45:25 “‘During the seven days of the festival, which begins in the seventh month on the fifteenth day, he is to make the same provision for sin offerings, burnt offerings, grain offerings and oil.

Have a blessed day.

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Everything’s a miracle…. (devo reflection)

Ezekiel 44:5 The Lord said to me, “Son of man, look carefully, listen closely and give attention to everything I tell you concerning all the regulations and instructions regarding the temple of the Lord….”

Certain verses jumped out at me as I read today’s scripture, the first of which was the beginning of verse 5: “Son of man, look carefully, listen closely and give attention to everything I tell you….” Isn’t God telling us this daily? Look closely. Listen intently. Pay attention. What might I see, what truth might He reveal, if I took this directive to heart as I went throughout my day?

Ezekiel 44:23 ”They are to teach my people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.”

Verse 23 is the second verse that jumped out at me and reminded me of a song we sing in church: “Holy Now,” which talks about how everything is holy, miraculous, if we only have eyes to see it. And isn’t that what verse 5 is talking about? Looking closely. Listening intently. Paying attention. If we seek God’s presence in everything, we will see God’s presence in everything.

Ezekiel 44:28 “‘I am to be the only inheritance the priests have. You are to give them no possession in Israel; I will be their possession.’”

Lord, Thank You for this reminder to actively seek You, to pay attention to the world around me, expecting that I will see You everywhere. In a terribly jaded world, help me to approach life with the attitude that everything’s a miracle—because it is. Help me to see Your world with the wonder of a child and to teach others to see it that way as well. Amen.

Ezekiel 44:30 “‘The best of all the firstfruits and of all your special gifts will belong to the priests. You are to give them the first portion of your ground meal so that a blessing may rest on your household.’”

Have a blessed day.

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Righteousness, justice, and sacrifice…. (devo reflection)

Ezekiel 43:18 Then he said to me, “Son of man, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: These will be the regulations for sacrificing burnt offerings and splashing blood against the altar when it is built:

One of the verses last week for our daily devos for my church was Proverbs 21:3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. That verse came solidly to mind this morning as Ezekiel 43 talks about purifying the altar through sacrifice.

Ezekiel 43:19 You are to give a young bull as a sin offering to the Levitical priests of the family of Zadok, who come near to minister before me, declares the Sovereign Lord.

This morning it feels a little like a scaffold, leading believers closer to God: Sacrifice, especially that mentioned in Ezekiel, has specific steps to ensure holiness. Following the steps is acceptable for those just learning. But doing righteousness and justice is less of a step by step process, comes with more experience as a Christian, and is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

Ezekiel 43:20 You are to take some of its blood and put it on the four horns of the altar and on the four corners of the upper ledge and all around the rim, and so purify the altar and make atonement for it.

Lord, You call us to more than sacrifice in this life. Help us to strive to do righteousness and justice for Your people. Give us strength. Draw us close. Amen.

Ezekiel 43:21 You are to take the bull for the sin offering and burn it in the designated part of the temple area outside the sanctuary.

Have a blessed day.

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According to plan…. (devo reflection)

Ezekiel 42:1 Then the man led me northward into the outer court and brought me to the rooms opposite the temple courtyard and opposite the outer wall on the north side.

We are still measuring the temple in this chapter, and it would be easy to brush it off as irrelevant, but I think God’s always speaking to us if we listen. What caught my attention in this chapter was the end of verse 11 when it says “all their exits and entrances were according to plan.”

Ezekiel 42:10 On the south side along the length of the wall of the outer court, adjoining the temple courtyard and opposite the outer wall, were rooms.

It’s not so much the entrances and exits that piqued my interest but the mention of a plan. The Israelites are dealing with generations of sin and idolatry, destruction and exile. I would have a hard time seeing the plan in all of that. But I “see through a glass, darkly” (1 Cor 13:12). My Savior, however, sees the bigger picture. He has a plan to give His people a hope and a future (Jer 29:11). No detail is too trivial for Him. Thank You, Jesus.

Ezekiel 42:11 There was a walk in front of them also, and their appearance was like the chambers which were toward the north; they were as long and as wide as the others, and all their exits and entrances were according to plan.

Lord, Thank You for meeting me here each morning. Thank You for helping me see more of You as I study Your word. Thank You that even when life seems chaotic, You have a plan, down to the tiniest detail. Help me to trust You. Always. Amen.

Ezekiel 42:15 When he had finished measuring what was inside the temple area, he led me out by the east gate and measured the area all around.

Have a blessed day.