Today’s Scripture: Ezekiel 18:1, NIV- “The word of the LORD came to me:”
Are we receptive to the word of the LORD? When we go to the LORD in prayer or cry for mercy in our times of need, are we too busy sending our words to the LORD to receive His? I can see a catcher in baseball awaiting the pitch. He is focused on catching the incoming ball.
Are we focusing on the incoming word of the LORD? Our first step is to kneel before the LORD. In this correct position with head bowed and eyes closed we are receptive to the message and light of God. Thankfully, it is God who sends His message.
We may not know if we are ready, but God knows. Ezekiel was simply hanging out with the other exiles by the river when the word of the LORD came to him. This was not something Ezekiel or we can do but God does know the receptive heart. In Ezekiel18:4 we are told that God says “For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me. The one who sins is the one who will die.”
The LORD was clarifying that we are not held accountable for the actions of others. This is a personal relationship with our heavenly Father. Ezekiel 18:9 promises that if we live with God, we will surely live. Each of us is responsible for our own actions and willingness to receive.
Thankfully, God created us all with the ability to change the course of our lives. We can turn to God and turn away from those things separating us from Him. Ezekiel 18:22 promises that none of our offenses against God will be remembered. We can live in the promises and grace of our LORD.
We please God by turning to Him. We were created to turn to the LORD. God never changes but we do. From day to day we have choices. There is no pointing of fingers at others for our state. Ezekiel 18:31 instructs us to “Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people of Israel?” (NLT)
How refreshing it is to know we can have a new heart and a new spirit right now. We can repent and live. In Ezekiel 36:26-27 God tells us “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. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” As Ezekiel 36:36 promises the LORD has spoken and He will do it.
We must only turn to Him and receive His heart and Spirit. Maybe if we spent more time welcoming His heart and Spirit, we would understand the full life of Christ. When we ask for our daily bread let us remember John 6:35 that states “And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”
Let us get alone with God with a heart wide open and ask Him to give us His heart, Spirit, and life.
Today’s Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are my God, and I am Yours. I am welcoming Your heart and Spirit now. Please feed me Your desires. Please fill me with the life of Your bread and water, Jesus Christ. Turn me to Your kingdom and will today. I am thankful to live the fullness of the life You have promised to us. I am seeking You and praying to You as Jesus did. Amen
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