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Relentless pursuit of my heart…. (devo reflection)

Daniel 6:3 Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.

At its heart, this chapter, like so many others, is about pride and its dangers. Ultimately, it’s the administrators and the satraps who were jealous of Daniel’s impeccable character, jealous of the king’s desire to set Daniel in a position of authority over the whole kingdom. This jealousy and bitterness, this pride led to the events in Daniel 6, events that led to the deaths of not only the administrators and the satraps who plotted but also of their wives and children.

Daniel 6:4 At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.

I truly believe this is one of the reasons God keeps after me about laying down my pride and adopting an attitude of humility, about letting go of my anger and bitterness about what I think “should be.” He knows that that way lies destruction for me, and He loves me too much to want that end for me.

Daniel 6:5 Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.”

Lord, Thank You for Your relentless pursuit of my heart. Thank You that You love me too much to let my pride get the better of me. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). Amen.

Daniel 6:15 Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, “Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.”

Have a blessed day.

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God’s love is bigger than our sin…. (devo reflection)

Ezekiel 36:9 For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn unto you, and ye shall be tilled and sown…. (KJV)

Psalm 71:14 is strongly in my mind while reading Ezekiel 36: “As for me, I will always have hope….” While Israel has to be held accountable for generations of sin and idolatry, this chapter makes it clear that God has not written them off, has not turned His back on them forever. Even with all their sin and depravity, God still recognizes His beloved, He is still for them. Thank You, Jesus.

Ezekiel 36:26 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.

We have all had issues, matters, seasons in our lives where we felt we had gone too far past the point of God’s love, where we felt that He could never forgive us, could never wash us clean. But God shows through Israel’s story that His love is bigger than our sin. Actually, I guess it would be more appropriate to say that God shows through Jesus that God’s love is bigger than our sin, but Israel’s story serves to give us hope.

Ezekiel 36:27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

Precious Savior, Thank You for Your fierce, unending, all-encompassing love. Yours is a love so big and complete that we truly can’t wrap our minds around it. Help us to know You more. Help us to trust Your promises. And when the world has given up on us and we have given up on ourselves, help us to remember that You are for us, that we are never, ever too far gone for You to save. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Ezekiel 36:28 Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God.

Have a blessed day.

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Prideful…. (devo reflection)

Ezekiel 29:3 “Speak to [Pharaoh king of Egypt] and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “ ‘I am against you, Pharaoh king of Egypt, you great monster lying among your streams. You say, “The Nile belongs to me; I made it for myself.”

Commentary can be incredibly helpful as I try to make sense of my reading each day. Often it gives me background or insight into history of which I am unaware. For instance, one of the insights commentary gave me on today’s reading is that “Israel…has an impulse to look to Egypt in times of crisis.” The chapter also indicates that Egypt leaned into that role of savior, becoming prideful.

Ezekiel 29:6. Then all who live in Egypt will know that I am the Lord….

The issue here, as I see it, is two-fold: 1. Israel is looking to someone other than God in times of crisis. Psalm 121:2 says, “My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” 2. Egypt is getting prideful because of their role as rescuer. Both are issues as both remove God from His right place as center.

Ezekiel 29:6b-7 “‘You have been a staff of reed for the people of Israel. When they grasped you with their hands, you splintered and you tore open their shoulders; when they leaned on you, you broke and their backs were wrenched.’”

Lord, it is so easy sometimes to recognize and analyze what other people are doing wrong. Help me to concentrate instead on the plank in my own eye—being sure my focus is on You, my center is in You—instead of fixating on the speck of sawdust I see in someone else’s eye. Help me to remain humble in You. Amen.

Ezekiel 29:16 “‘Egypt will no longer be a source of confidence for the people of Israel but will be a reminder of their sin in turning to her for help. Then they will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.’”

Have a blessed day.

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My center…. (devo reflection)

Ezekiel 27:25 “‘The ships of Tarshish serve as carriers for your wares. You are filled with heavy cargo as you sail the sea.”
Psalm 46:5 comes heavily to mind as I read this chapter: “God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it.” Just like yesterday, the issue here is one of sharp contrasts. In the Psalm, because God is in the city, the city cannot be destroyed. In this chapter, the city of Tyre is a powerful, magnificent trading port, yet God is no where within the city. All the riches, all the beauty and craftsmanship, all the money and power come to absolutely nothing without God at its center.
Ezekiel 27:26 “Your oarsmen take you out to the high seas. But the east wind will break you to pieces far out at sea.”
For me, the message is easy to connect to our modern life. There is so much value placed on appearances, on wealth and power and influence. So many are chasing the almighty dollar or pervasive influence over others. But if God isn’t within us, if He’s not our center, we can’t stand. This world is not our home. Our end goal is not here. Our reward is in heaven. Jesus, Help me never forget that.
Ezekiel 27:27 “Your wealth, merchandise and wares, your mariners, sailors and shipwrights, your merchants and all your soldiers, and everyone else on board will sink into the heart of the sea on the day of your shipwreck.”
Lord, Thank You for the reminder that this world is not my home, that I am not chasing the things the world deems important. Help me to keep You at my center so that I can stand strong in You. Amen.
Ezekiel 27:28 “The shorelands will quake when your sailors cry out.”
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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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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Promise and hope…. (devo reflection)

Lamentations 5:15 Joy is gone from our hearts; our dancing has turned to mourning.
Psalm 30:11 shows that when God is our center, when we humble ourselves before Him, He turns our mourning into dancing, loosens our sackcloth and clothes us with gladness. Lamentations 5:15 shows that when God is no longer our center, when we turn from Him to our own desires, the opposite occurs.
Lamentations 5:16 The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us, for we have sinned!
Joy and gladness are not rights, they are blessings. We don’t deserve them. We shouldn’t expect them. But when we live a life aligned to God, when we keep Him at our center, when we humble ourselves before Him, He lavishes His blessings upon us.
Lamentations 5:19 You, Lord, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation.
Lord, You do not promise to keep us from mourning and sadness. We can’t avoid these conditions in this fallen world. But You lavish us with blessings that turn for us our mourning into dancing; You loose our sackcloth and clothe us with gladness in the midst of sorrow and mourning. Thank You for the promise and hope that can only come from You. Help me, always, to humble myself before You, to keep You at my center, to recognize Your blessings in this life. Amen.
Lamentations 5:21 Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return; renew our days as of old….
Have a blessed day.
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Right relationship…. (devo reflection)

Jeremiah 49:4 Why do you boast of your valleys, boast of your valleys so fruitful? Unfaithful Daughter Ammon, you trust in your riches and say, ‘Who will attack me?’
Normally when I read scripture from the Old Testament, I am struck by God’s anger and vengeance. This time is different. I keep seeing, instead, God’s mercy and compassion, His overwhelming desire to bring us back into right relationship with Him. Psalm 51:17 comes to mind, which says: “The sacrifice You desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.”
Jeremiah 49:6 “Yet afterward, I will restore the fortunes of the Ammonites,” declares the Lord.
God’s not in the business of making us comfortable, wealthy, powerful, or influential. He is concerned about the state of our hearts and our eternal souls. He understands the world’s pull to self-reliance and self-sufficiency. He knows the eternal dangers and ramifications of that route. He doesn’t want that for us. He wants us to have rich, full lives in Him.
Jeremiah 49:11 “‘Leave your fatherless children; I will keep them alive. Your widows too can depend on me.’ ”
Lord, Thank You that I am able to see Your overwhelming love and compassion for Your people as I read Your scripture. Thank You for loving me too much to allow me to rely on myself. I know “The sacrifice You desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.” Help me. Draw me closer. Amen.
Jeremiah 49:39 “Yet I will restore the fortunes of Elam in days to come,” declares the Lord.
Have a blessed day.
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I am known…. (devo reflection)

Jeremiah 34:8 The word came to Jeremiah from the Lord after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to proclaim freedom for the slaves. 
God knows our hearts. He knows when we are desperate. He knows when we are insincere. He knows when our return is conditional on His acting the way that we want.
Jeremiah 34:9 Everyone was to free their Hebrew slaves, both male and female; no one was to hold a fellow Hebrew in bondage. 
He doesn’t play games. He has no need for lip service and play acting. His love for us is fierce, but it’s not sugar-coated. He doesn’t give us our way just because it will make us happy. He doesn’t rejoice over insincere repentance.
Jeremiah 34:10 So all the officials and people who entered into this covenant agreed that they would free their male and female slaves and no longer hold them in bondage. They agreed, and set them free. 
Lord, You have searched me and You know me (Psalm 139:1). You know my heart, my mind, my intentions. Help me to be real, honest, and true with You always. You know the truth anyway, and I don’t ever want a false heart with You. Life isn’t always easy, Lord, but You are always loving, sovereign, and merciful. Help me never to forget. Draw me closer. Amen.
Jeremiah 34:11 But afterward they changed their minds and took back the slaves they had freed and enslaved them again.
Have a blessed day.
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A human BEING…. (devo reflection)

Isaiah 64:4 Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.
I have struggled, more this semester than most, with my worth as a human BEING instead of a human DOING. As someone who has been a productive citizen for as long as I can remember, I struggle with my value and worth when I am too worn out to DO. And yet God encourages our being, He tells us to “be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
Isaiah 64:6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
Our culture puts a premium on doing. The first question that we often ask strangers is: What do you DO for a living? It just occurred to me to wonder if that has any connection to our pride: What do you do and how can you help me move higher? But God is concerned primarily with our BEING, He acts on behalf of those who WAIT for Him (verse 4), those who aren’t so busy doing that they miss His still, small voice.
Isaiah 64:8 Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.
Lord, BEING instead of DOING is something I still struggle with. Thank You for the continued reminder that I need to lay it all at Your feet. Thank You that You love me for who I am and who I am to You and not for anything I do. Help all my doings be aimed to bring You glory and to comfort Your people. Help me to get better at being still in Your presence. Draw me closer. Amen.
Isaiah 64:9 Do not be angry beyond measure, Lord; do not remember our sins forever; Oh, look on us, we pray, for we are all your people.
Have a blessed day.