Meditation

Meditation for 06/20/2019

“Then in the nations where they have been carried captive, those who escape will remember me—how I have been grieved by their adulterous hearts, which have turned away from me, and by their eyes, which have lusted after their idols. They will loathe themselves for the evil they have done and for all their detestable practices.” (Ezekiel 6:9)

God’s judgment of His people has a purpose. He fully intends to present to Himself a purified remnant. The remnant, recognizing God’s grace, repent and call upon the Lord.

They know God carries out His threats against a rebellious people. God’s character and His saving actions make us hate our sins and thus turn back to Him.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Abba, You do not make idle threats, ever, so we must listen and heed what You direct us to do through the gift of the Holy Spirit. It reminds us that what we may be about to do is wrong in Your eyes, and gives us the direction we need to move in and away from what we were about to do. We also know that You see sin as sin; there are no degrees of sin, as all are the same to You. Forgive us when we slip off of the path of righteousness and gently guide us back on, that all we do and say honors You alone. This we ask in the name of Jesus. Amen

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“Everyone deserves your forgiveness.”

KNOWING GOD:

“Is not Ephraim my dear son, the child in whom I delight? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 31:20)

God’s salvation is remembrance. Israel is like a beloved child o God. He can never forget them. It is His remembrance of them, and their remembrance of Him, which brings restoration. Memory, both God’s and ours, plays a large role in salvation.

I AM:

Salvation, Remembrance: (Ezekiel 16:43)

Israel tested God like no other nation, even unto today, yet God’s remembrance of His favored nation has given it reprieve and forgiveness many times. I suspect our own nation has caused God to shake His head many times, yet like Israel, when we come before God with truly repentant hearts and with the intent not to repeat our sins, God forgives us. If we could only remember what Jesus did on the cross for our benefit, by taking on our sins and destroying Satan’s plan of having us worship him instead of God. He took on the sins of the world, that through His crucifixion, death and resurrection, that Satan would lose his hold on us. God judges His people who fail to remember his goodness and who backslide on his love. This only separates us from God, but by confessing our sins and seeking God’s forgiveness, He will do so and restore us to Himself. We serve a mighty God. I just pray all would recognize this and return to Him.

Second Thought of the Day:

“Though I scatter them among the peoples, yet in distant lands they will remember me. They and their children will survive, and they will return.” (Zechariah 10:9)

Here the prophet declared the end of Israel’s dispersion among the nations. God’s care and presence would reunite and strengthen them. As in the Exodus. God will reveal His salvation in historical events.

Even far from home and from the center of religious activities, memories and tradition taught by family lead us to remember and worship the Living God.