What a powerful prayer that Daniel is confessing for the whole nation. Then he asks God to act, not for the people but for Gods own great compassion. What a great reminder of the Gospel! We are saved by His work, grace, mercy and compassion…literally nothing of our own efforts!!!
It’s interesting that this is included in Gods revelation to us because, it is really hard to understand. Even Daniel gets a personal interpretation but he was still confused in the end. However, I find it interesting that God sends an angel to provide some insight…enough understanding to make it valuable for Daniel and for us. Lord, help me to trust that You will do the same for me, even when things are hard to comprehend…I want to trust in You!
Amidst the chaos Jesus is ushered in forever. That is such a relief that we know He is in control and we can trust Him!
Daniel lived in a way that made him stand out from all his peers. His life exemplified his faith and the power of his God. His trust in God in every avenue was unique and obvious to everyone around him. Lord, although I am not interested in the persecution side, I pray that people would recognize You in all of my actions!
Daniel had no imagination that this was his own ability, but consistently pointed to God! In the end God was praised and received the glory, not Daniel. This seems like a one off situation, and it is unique, but all of the gifts that God provides work the same way and should be treated as such. Lord, help me to reveal your glory as I use the gifts you have given me.
What a fascinating reminder of how intimately involved with our lives God actually is. I often take credit for my success yet this passage clearly points out Gods role in the success of Daniel and his friends. Lord, thank you for providing me the ability to do my work and ministry…please help me to keep You as a fixture of empowerment rather than claiming victory for myself…You alone have granted me any favor I experience. What a blessing from Your hand!!!
The end of this long confusing section of Ezekiel ends by naming the city “The LORD is there”…God with His people! What a contrast to the beginning of the book where they are in exile, separated from God because of their own decisions. What a mighty God who has a plan to restore relationship with us even when we actively run from Him.
The way God calls His people to embrace the foreigner is so much different that the popular mindset of American Christians today! Lord help me to fight against the cultural narrative of our day and see people as you see them. Help me to love all people as You would love them.
Ministers are examples to all Gods people and are called to a higher standard of living. Lord, help me to reflect Your glory!!!
All of this destruction, trials, desertion and death to achieve restoration of Gods reputation and His people’s proper thinking. It seems extreme to me, but God knows exactly what is required and doesn’t do more than that. Thank you Lord for Your patience and presence! Help me to live for You alone!!!
God is able to use any tool He wants to accomplish His work in His people. His goals in this chapter are identified as Exaltation, Sanctification and being intimate known…for the ultimate purpose of saving His people. It is obvious that God wants everyone to come to Him and experience the joy of His presence and provision. Lord, help me to be settled in You!
Gods plan to restore His people is encouraging and hopeful…they don’t deserve it, but He plans it anyway. We are just like them in that we are not worthy of His blessings, protection and love, but that is who God is!
What a beautiful picture of transformation from a heart of stone which doesn’t feel or move or even work as it should…to the real thing! Ready to live, and respond as it was designed. Lord, I need this renewal once again…my heart feels hard and unfeeling, heavy and lacking joy, cold and dead. Transform my heart to one filled with love for You, joy for all the blessings and a desire to pursue You.
5 times in these 15 vs God says to the descendants of Esau, you will know me. These are not the chosen people of God, but closely related…they knew all the history and all the ways that God had cared for and protected them. Of anybody on earth, they should also know God. So it seems like this reverence is what is expected even more from those people than any other, and he reminds them more often.
Lord, you have given me scripture so that I can know you even better than all the people of the Bible, help me to reverence you appropriately! I love you and want to be wholly devoted to you and surrender to you in everything!
This passage describes how the leaders of Israel have taken advantage of Gods people and how God will personally rescue them. But then there is a picture of how they will continue to suffer because of their own actions…yet in it all God still intends to bless them. What an amazing God we serve!!!
One sin is enough to require punishment, but also living Gods way brings righteousness.
A very public destruction is described by God for this nation that has been Israel’s enemy. There is very little to comfort in this passage if you are at war with God or His people…on the flip side, as Gods chosen son, what a comfort to know that God will stop at nothing to protect me. Lord, give me the faith to trust that You are at work and have my good in mind at every step of the journey!!!
This chapter tells about God warning Pharaoh by comparing how He dealt with Assyria, which was even more powerful than Egypt. It should have been a reminder that God is more powerful and should not be messed with, but rather surrendered to.
Lord help me to be fully surrendered to You in everything!
The message of Ezekiel is on repeat… God does not want to be misunderstood. He patently tells all people what they need to hear and why. I think He is just as patient today with me…I wish I didn’t need the message to be on repeat, but I clearly don’t learn the first time.
