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To draw their hearts back to Him…. (devo reflection)

Ezekiel 22:14 “Will your courage endure or your hands be strong in the day I deal with you? I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.”
Just like in the chapters and chapters of calls to return and repent, God is laying out chapters and chapters of “this is why you are facing My judgement.” As one who incessantly asks “Why?” in any given situation, I can appreciate His thoroughness. He doesn’t want anyone confused about why this judgement is coming.
Ezekiel 22:15 “I will disperse you among the nations and scatter you through the countries; and I will put an end to your uncleanness.”
And just like the promise, chapter after chapter, that if they repent and return, He will restore right relationship, this alerting of judgement, chapter after chapter, also contains hope—in verse 22. Commentary says: “As terrible as the burning of Jerusalem and exile would be, it would purify Israel even through the judgement.” This judgement is another attempt to draw their hearts back to Him.
Ezekiel 22:16 “‘When you have been defiled in the eyes of the nations, you will know that I am the Lord.’”
God of hope, Thank You for Your compassion and grace. Thank You for Your desire for relationship, for communion. Thank You for explanations that we don’t deserve, for hope that we desperately need, for love beyond our wildest dreams. Help us to seek You, to put You first Always. Draw us closer. Amen.
Ezekiel 22:22 “‘As silver is melted in a furnace, so you will be melted inside her, and you will know that I the Lord have poured out my wrath on you.’”
Have a blessed day.
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The hope of the Lord…. (devo reflection)

Ezekiel 21:3 …and say to her: ‘This is what the Lord says: I am against you. I will draw my sword from its sheath and cut off from you both the righteous and the wicked.
The people ignored the signs and the warnings and the prophecies of the coming judgement for a very long time. And while it’s easy for me to sit in judgment, I get it. When you are riding high, you begin to feel untouchable, like nothing can go against you, like life will always go your way. It’s easy to shut out the nagging voice that says you’re headed the wrong way.
Ezekiel 21:6 “Therefore groan, son of man! Groan before them with broken heart and bitter grief.
Not surprisingly, I guess, since hope is so important to me, in the midst of all the bad news of the coming destruction (brought on by the Israelites refusal to return and repent), I still see the hope of the Lord in verse 27 of this chapter. Yes, it’s going to get really bad. Judgement is never pleasant. But it won’t always be that way. Restoration is coming eventually. God hasn’t turned His back forever.
Ezekiel 21:7 And when they ask you, ‘Why are you groaning?’ you shall say, ‘Because of the news that is coming. Every heart will melt with fear and every hand go limp; every spirit will become faint and every leg will be wet with urine.’ It is coming! It will surely take place, declares the Sovereign Lord.”
Lord, Forgive me when I don’t listen and don’t heed Your voice. Forgive me when I get caught up in the ways of the world and lose sight of my purpose in You. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Psalm 51:10). Help me hold on to You with both hands. Draw me closer. Amen.
Ezekiel 21:27 A ruin! A ruin! I will make it a ruin! The crown will not be restored until he to whom it rightfully belongs shall come; to him I will give it.’
Have a blessed day.
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For my good and Your glory…. (devo reflection)

Ezekiel 20:7 And I said to them, “Each of you, get rid of the vile images you have set your eyes on, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”
The expression “for my good and His glory” keeps running through my mind as I read today’s chapter. Interestingly, I thought that idea came straight from scripture, and while I found lots of verses about God’s glory, I didn’t find one that contained this specific combination of God acting for my good AND His glory.
Ezekiel 20:9 But for the sake of my name, I brought them out of Egypt. I did it to keep my name from being profaned in the eyes of the nations among whom they lived and in whose sight I had revealed myself to the Israelites.
Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” and Romans 11:36 “For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen” are the two closest scriptures I could find. And yet, everything God does for His glory benefits me for my good. Not destroying me for my sins so that His name may be glorified is absolutely to my benefit, even when He rightfully gets the glory. For this compassion, I am eternally grateful.
Ezekiel 20:14 But for the sake of my name I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.
Lord, Thank You that the words “for my good and Your glory” are intertwined in my mind and my study of scripture. Everything You do brings me closer to You, which is absolutely for my good. May Your name be glorified always, Lord. Amen.
Ezekiel 20:22 But I withheld my hand, and for the sake of my name I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.
Have a blessed day.
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Our own stubborn pride…. (devo reflection)

Ezekiel 19:10 “‘Your mother was like a vine in your vineyard planted by the water; it was fruitful and full of branches because of abundant water.’”
The last line of Ezekiel 19:14 is pretty clear: “This is a lament and is to be used as a lament.” The time for voluntary repentance and return has passed. Now is time for judgment. I truly doubt the Israelites, so used to wallowing in their own sin, had any real concept of the significance, but Ezekiel did. God did.
Ezekiel 19:11 “‘Its branches were strong, fit for a ruler’s scepter. It towered high above the thick foliage, conspicuous for its height and for its many branches.’”
Of course I’ve not yet seen God face-to-face and I’m limited by my human perspective, but I think this was not just an official lament to be carried out by the prophet. I think God cares deeply about His children, wants them to follow Him and live abundant, full lives. I think it hurts His heart when we choose our own stubborn pride over His provision.
Ezekiel 19:12 “‘But it was uprooted in fury and thrown to the ground. The east wind made it shrivel, it was stripped of its fruit; its strong branches withered and fire consumed them.’”
Lord, Thank You for this glimpse into Your heart. Thank You that You love us so much that You lament when we choose our will over Yours. Help me to keep You as the center of my life. Always. Amen.
Ezekiel 19:14 “‘Fire spread from one of its main branches and consumed its fruit. No strong branch is left on it fit for a ruler’s scepter.’ “This is a lament and is to be used as a lament.”
Have a blessed day.
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Daily tending…. (devo reflection)

Ezekiel 18:30a “Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord….”
Ezekiel 18:31 brought to mind strongly Psalm 51:10: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Interestingly, the entire passage makes me think of my kitchen rug, the one right by the outside door.
Ezekiel 18:30b “…Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.” 
If I want that rug to stay in place so that it can catch dirt from incoming shoes, I have to keep an eye on it. It gets wadded up behind the door, so I have to straighten it. It really does collect dirt, so I have to shake it out and occasionally vacuum it. I have to tend it. My heart is startlingly similar. I have to tend it, realign it when it gets knocked out of place, shake out the dirt and clean it with regularity.
Ezekiel 18:31 “Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel?”
Lord, Thank You for laying these verses on my heart, for reminding me that my heart needs daily tending to be sure it is aligned with You, for the reminder that my spirit needs renewal and You are the only source. Draw me closer. Amen.
Ezekiel 18:32 “For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!”
Have a blessed day.
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His blessings daily…. (devo reflection)

Ezekiel 17:22 “ ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain.’”
One thing that I have noticed in an overwhelming way as I read through Ezekiel is that there is always this undercurrent of hope. This idea of hope brought Romans 15:13 to mind: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Ezekiel 17:23 “‘On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches.’”
The older I get the more I cling to hope, realize the necessity of hope. Life is hard. Full stop. There will be loss and pain and difficulty. But God is so very good. He showers us with hope in the form of His blessings daily.
Ezekiel 17:24a “‘All the trees of the forest will know that I the Lord bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish.’”
Lord, Fill me with all joy and peace as I trust in You. Help me to overflow with hope by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Ezekiel 17:24b “ ‘I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.’ ”
Have a blessed day.
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Unplanned, unpleasant detours…. (devo reflection)

Ezekiel 16:59-60 “ ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will deal with you as you deserve, because you have despised my oath by breaking the covenant. Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you. 
This is a tough chapter. Isreal’s idolatry is called to task in vivid detail. Yet God is still loving and compassionate. His purpose is to draw Israel back to Him so that they can enjoy the benefits of a covenant relationship with Him—which they cannot do when they are consorting with idols. God makes it clear that there are consequences for the idolatry of the Israelites, but He also makes it clear that He will restore them, restore His covenant with them, in the end.
Ezekiel 16:61 Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed when you receive your sisters, both those who are older than you and those who are younger. I will give them to you as daughters, but not on the basis of my covenant with you. 
There are times in my life where I look at my bad choices, arrogant choices, ridiculous choices, and think that I have utterly ruined my chances for the life God designed for me. In the words of an internet meme, I am not that powerful. I am not powerful enough to wreck God’s design for my life. My choices may take me on some unplanned, unpleasant detours, but God is still in control and His love is relentless and fierce. Thank You, Jesus.
Ezekiel 16:62 So I will establish my covenant with you, and you will know that I am the Lord. 
Lord, Thank You for loving me despite my foolish and willful rebellion at times. Thank You for caring so deeply that You guide me back on track, even when it’s painful. Help me to keep You at my center. Always. Amen.
Ezekiel 16:63 Then, when I make atonement for you for all you have done, you will remember and be ashamed and never again open your mouth because of your humiliation, declares the Sovereign Lord.’ ”
Have a blessed day.
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God’s chosen…. (devo reflection)

Ezekiel 15:6 “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: As I have given the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest as fuel for the fire, so will I treat the people living in Jerusalem.”
The Israelites seem to have taken their status as God’s chosen for granted. They seem to think that there is nothing they can do to lose the favored status. But they have filled their land and their hearts with idols. They have utterly pushed God out while telling themselves and each other it’s ok because they are God’s chosen. At issue is their behavior and the state of their hearts.
Ezekiel 15:7a “I will set my face against them. Although they have come out of the fire, the fire will yet consume them….”
God loves us because we are His. He created us. But He created us to  bring His light to the world and to have a relationship with Him. He cares about the state of our hearts. He knows when we place idols before Him. He knows that for us to live rich, full, eternally meaningful lives, our focus must remain on Him. And He will do all that He can to try to help us realize the error of our ways and return to Him. But He gives us the power to choose.
Ezekiel 15:7b “…And when I set my face against them, you will know that I am the Lord.”
Lord, Thank You for Your fierce love and Your boundless compassion. Thank You for loving us so much that You pursue us boundlessly. Thank You for allowing us to choose You. Help me, always, to put You first. Amen.
Ezekiel 15:8 “I will make the land desolate because they have been unfaithful, declares the Sovereign Lord.”
Have a blessed day.
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God knows…. (devo reflection)

Ezekiel 14:1-2 Some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat down in front of me. Then the word of the Lord came to me:

God’s message here is that He knows the heart. He knows when outwardly pious people are inwardly idolatrous. Those people, according to this passage, no longer have the privilege of God’s council.

Ezekiel 14:3 “Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all?”

God’s council is to repent and return, restore relationship with Him. False prophets say, “Don’t worry. You don’t have to do anything. God will save you.” These inwardly idolatrous men have replaced God in their hearts—and don’t we still do that today?—so the “don’t worry, don’t change” is the message they want anyway. But God wants relationship with us.

Ezekiel 14:4 “Therefore speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: When any of the Israelites set up idols in their hearts and put a wicked stumbling block before their faces and then go to a prophet, I the Lord will answer them myself in keeping with their great idolatry.’”

Lord, Thank You for this look at Your “why.” Thank You for understanding that my understanding (or even seeing) the why helps me know You better. Thank You for a much deeper understanding of who You are throughout the Old Testament. Help me to remove any idols and stumbling blocks from my own heart so that I can draw closer to You. Amen.

Ezekiel 14:5 “‘I will do this to recapture the hearts of the people of Israel, who have all deserted me for their idols.’”

Have a blessed day. I love you.

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False Prophets…. (devo reflection)

Ezekiel 13:2 “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination: ‘Hear the word of the Lord!’”

Commentary helped tremendously my understanding of this chapter. I thought at first it was talking about this idea of speaking or praying things into existence. In this instance, the false prophets are not trying to speak things into existence (salvation), they are prophesying that God will deliver His people and there is no need to be afraid—that the people don’t need to do anything differently and God will still save them.

Ezekiel 13:3 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the foolish a prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!’”

The issue here, and it took commentary to help me understand it, is that God has had both Jeremiah and Ezekiel prophesy that this judgement is FROM God and that the people must prepare, repent, and return to restore that relationship. The false prophets are saying, “Don’t worry. Judgement won’t happen.” while the true prophets are saying, “Prepare yourselves because God’s judgement is imminent and it is because of your actions and attitudes.”

Ezekiel 13:6 “‘Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. Even though the Lord has not sent them, they say, “The Lord declares,” and expect him to fulfill their words.’”

Lord, Thank You for allowing me to see Your compassion in this chapter. It is only because You want Your people to understand the need to repent in order to return that You speak against the false prophets and their false hope. The hope is in You, in returning to You. That’s the message that must be understood. Thank You for Your fierce love. Amen.

Ezekiel 13:8 “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because of your false words and lying visions, I am against you, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”

Have a blessed day. I love you.