His Desire
August 30th, 2008
Scripture:
“And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them … that they may walk in my statues and keep my ordinances and do them. Then they will be my people, and I shall be their God.” Ezekiel 11:19-20
Observation:
The entire book of Ezekiel speaks of the evil of God’s people and just how far they have strayed. It tells of God’s extreme anger, his disappointment and his punishment for their repeated sins and their disregard for God. In chapter 11, Ezekiel is sharing God’s word about his promise of restoration. Even among the death and destruction that is being poured out for their sins, these verses express God’s true desire to love and to not inflict pain. This truly shows His grace and goodness and of his desire to love us even when we deserve death.
Application:
As I read through these previous chapters of Ezekiel, I have been disturbed at the events that have occurred. Here, God’s chosen people have totally turned from him, defiled his temple and made a mockery of all that God is. These are his chosen people, his special clan and yet they are so far from him that they deserve to die and to be punished for their ways. These people have done everything wrong, time and time again and God knows that they must be held accountable for their sins. Yet he still has such an amazing love for them that he desires to have them return to him. He desires to take their heart of stone and return it to a heart of flesh so that they will walk in his statues and that they may once again commune together. God has this same desire for me. No matter how far I stray, no matter how evil my ways, God is waiting patiently, calling me back to his rest and peace. My father sent his one and only son to die for me on the cross. To bear all that pain for my sinful, polluted and vile self, so that I can be saved. Saved not just once, but saved forever for all my sins. I deserve exactly what he poured out upon the people of Ezekiel’s day but instead, he offers me that “one heart and a new spirit.” Wow, what a love!
Prayer:
Lord, help me to always remember that unwavering, indescribable, unbelievable love that you have for me. Let me always know that you are calling me home from whatever way that I have strayed. Give me the strength to recognize sin and turn away from evil into your will for my life. Thank you for loving me as I am and for waiting patiently to share your love with me.
— Tiffany Fennell, preschool minister, Madison campus