Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Ezekiel chapter 18.  Here is a link to this chapter –   https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+18&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“The person who sins will die.  The son will not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son’s iniquity;  the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself.

…

“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, each according to his conduct,” declares the Lord God.  “Repent and turn away from all your transgressions, so that iniquity may not become a stumbling block to you.  Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit!  For why will you die, O house of Israel?  For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord God. “Therefore, repent and live.”  Ezekiel 18:  Verses 20 and 30-32.

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God shows His justice by judging each individual according to his conduct rather than including in the judgment the sins of the father or the son.  “…  The son will not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son’s iniquity;  …”  Verse 20.

But, this verse makes us think of God’s mercy in delivering His Son, Jesus Christ, to bear the sins of many.  “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.”  Hebrews 9:27-28.

God shows His justice by calling all to repentance.  “…  “Repent and turn away from all your transgressions, so that iniquity may not become a stumbling block to you.  Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit!  For why will you die, O house of Israel?  For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord God.  “Therefore, repent and live.”  Verses 30-32. 

But, these verses also make us think of God’s mercy in also giving many a new heart and a new spirit.  “And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them.  And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them.  Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God.”  Ezekiel 11:19-20.

Other doctrine focuses on man and what man should do.

But, Reformed Doctrine focuses on God and what God has done. 

“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24.

Today’s devotion comes from Ezekiel chapter 17.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+17&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Thus says the Lord God, “I will also take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and set it out;  I will pluck from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one and I will plant it on a high and lofty mountain.  On the high mountain of Israel I will plant it, that it may bring forth boughs and bear fruit and become a stately cedar.  And birds of every kind will nest under it;  they will nest in the shade of its branches.  All the trees of the field will know that I am the Lord;  I bring down the high tree, exalt the low tree, dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish.  I am the Lord;  I have spoken, and I will perform it.”  Ezekiel 17:22-24.

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Other doctrine is proud of its works, wisdom, and will.

But, Reformed Doctrine is humble knowing the sovereign LORD and its utter dependence on the LORD Who brings low and also exalts and Who declared “I am the Lord;  I have spoken, and I will perform it.”  Verse 24. 

“³ “Boast no more so very proudly,
Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth;
For the Lord is a God of knowledge,
And with Him actions are weighed.
⁴ “The bows of the mighty are shattered,
But the feeble gird on strength.
⁵ “Those who were full hire themselves out for bread,
But those who were hungry cease to hunger.
Even the barren gives birth to seven,
But she who has many children languishes.
⁶ “The Lord kills and makes alive;
He brings down to Sheol and raises up.
⁷ “The Lord makes poor and rich;
He brings low, He also exalts.
⁸ “He raises the poor from the dust,
He lifts the needy from the ash heap
To make them sit with nobles,
And inherit a seat of honor;
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s,
And He set the world on them.
⁹ “He keeps the feet of His godly ones,
But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness;
For not by might shall a man prevail.
¹⁰ “Those who contend with the Lord will be shattered;
Against them He will thunder in the heavens,
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;
And He will give strength to His king,
And will exalt the horn of His anointed.”  1 Samuel 2:3-10. 

“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;  but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.  But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 1:26-31.

Today’s devotion comes from Ezekiel chapter 16.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+16&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, make known to Jerusalem her abominations and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God to Jerusalem, “Your origin and your birth are from the land of the Canaanite, your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite.  As for your birth, on the day you were born your navel cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water for cleansing;  you were not rubbed with salt or even wrapped in cloths.  No eye looked with pity on you to do any of these things for you, to have compassion on you.  Rather you were thrown out into the open field, for you were abhorred on the day you were born.

“When I passed by you and saw you squirming in your blood, I said to you while you were in your blood, ‘Live!’  Yes, I said to you while you were in your blood, ‘Live!’  I made you numerous like plants of the field.  Then you grew up, became tall and reached the age for fine ornaments;  your breasts were formed and your hair had grown.  Yet you were naked and bare.

“Then I passed by you and saw you, and behold, you were at the time for love;  so I spread My skirt over you and covered your nakedness.  I also swore to you and entered into a covenant with you so that you became Mine,” declares the Lord God.  “Then I bathed you with water, washed off your blood from you and anointed you with oil.  I also clothed you with embroidered cloth and put sandals of porpoise skin on your feet;  and I wrapped you with fine linen and covered you with silk.  I adorned you with ornaments, put bracelets on your hands and a necklace around your neck.  I also put a ring in your nostril, earrings in your ears and a beautiful crown on your head.  Thus you were adorned with gold and silver, and your dress was of fine linen, silk and embroidered cloth.  You ate fine flour, honey and oil;  so you were exceedingly beautiful and advanced to royalty.  Then your fame went forth among the nations on account of your beauty, for it was perfect because of My splendor which I bestowed on you,” declares the Lord God.

“But you trusted in your beauty and played the harlot because of your fame, and you poured out your harlotries on every passer-by who might be willing.”  

…

Thus I will judge you like women who commit adultery or shed blood are judged;  and I will bring on you the blood of wrath and jealousy.  I will also give you into the hands of your lovers, and they will tear down your shrines, demolish your high places, strip you of your clothing, take away your jewels, and will leave you naked and bare.  They will incite a crowd against you and they will stone you and cut you to pieces with their swords.  They will burn your houses with fire and execute judgments on you in the sight of many women.  Then I will stop you from playing the harlot, and you will also no longer pay your lovers.  So I will calm My fury against you and My jealousy will depart from you, and I will be pacified and angry no more.  Because you have not remembered the days of your youth but have enraged Me by all these things, behold, I in turn will bring your conduct down on your own head,” declares the Lord God, “so that you will not commit this lewdness on top of all your other abominations.

…

“Nevertheless, I will remember My covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you.  Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed when you receive your sisters, both your older and your younger;  and I will give them to you as daughters, but not because of your covenant.  Thus I will establish My covenant with you, and you shall know that I am the Lord, so that you may remember and be ashamed and never open your mouth anymore because of your humiliation, when I have forgiven you for all that you have done,” the Lord God declares.”  Ezekiel 16:1-15 and 38-43 and 60-63.

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In this vivid figurative history of Israel summarized in one chapter, we are shocked by both Israel’s faithlessness and God’s faithfulness.

We think of the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation a/k/a Five Points of Calvinism a/k/a TULIP. 

We see God’s grace toward Israel described so richly in verses 1-14 (making us think of “Unconditional Election”, the “U” of TULIP) , Israel’s response of harlotry in verses 15-34 (making us think of “Total Depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP”), God’s punishment of Israel in verses 35-43, and a summary of God’s grace alone to “establish an everlasting covenant” with Israel in verses 60-63 (making us think of the unconditional nature of the covenant).   

Other doctrine teaches that God’s covenant is a bilateral agreement made and maintained by two parties and bases man’s performance of his part of the covenant on duty and thankfulness.

But, Reformed Doctrine teaches that God’s covenant is an unilateral action made and maintained by God alone.  To God alone be the glory!

“…  He takes away the first in order to establish the second.  By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins;  but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet.  For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.  And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us;  for after saying,

He then says,

Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.”  Hebrews 10:9-18.

Today’s devotion comes from Ezekiel chapter 15.

“Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, how is the wood of the vine better than any wood of a branch which is among the trees of the forest?  Can wood be taken from it to make anything, or can men take a peg from it on which to hang any vessel?  If it has been put into the fire for fuel, and the fire has consumed both of its ends and its middle part has been charred, is it then useful for anything?  Behold, while it is intact, it is not made into anything.  How much less, when the fire has consumed it and it is charred, can it still be made into anything!  Therefore, thus says the Lord God, ‘As the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so have I given up the inhabitants of Jerusalem;  and I set My face against them.  Though they have come out of the fire, yet the fire will consume them.  Then you will know that I am the Lord, when I set My face against them.  Thus I will make the land desolate, because they have acted unfaithfully,’” declares the Lord God.”  Ezekiel chapter 15.

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In today’s Scripture, the LORD compared Jerusalem to a useless vine. 

But, there is hope!

The LORD would provide a Savior, Jesus Christ, Who would be called “the true vine”.

Jerusalem may have been like a useless vine which could not provide even as little wood as a peg on which to hang anything , but Jesus would be “the true vine” on which the wood of His cross would hold the sins of the world.

Jerusalem may have been like charred dead wood, but Jesus would be a green living “true vine” which would provide life to all of His branches and which would cause all of His branches to bear much fruit.  

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away;  and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.  You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.  Abide in Me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.  I am the vine, you are the branches;  he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”  John 15:1-5.

Today’s devotion comes from Ezekiel chapter 14.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+14&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Then some elders of Israel came to me and sat down before me.  And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts and have put right before their faces the stumbling block of their iniquity.  Should I be consulted by them at all?  Therefore speak to them and tell them, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Any man of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart, puts right before his face the stumbling block of his iniquity, and then comes to the prophet, I the Lord will be brought to give him an answer in the matter in view of the multitude of his idols, in order to lay hold of the hearts of the house of Israel who are estranged from Me through all their idols.”’

“Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Repent and turn away from your idols and turn your faces away from all your abominations.  For anyone of the house of Israel or of the immigrants who stay in Israel who separates himself from Me, sets up his idols in his heart, puts right before his face the stumbling block of his iniquity, and then comes to the prophet to inquire of Me for himself, I the Lord will be brought to answer him in My own person.  I will set My face against that man and make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from among My people.  So you will know that I am the Lord.”  Ezekiel 14:1-8.

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Today’s Scripture states clearly and repeatedly that there can be idols in the heart.

Idols are not only made out of wood or stone formed by human hands which stand outside of us.  Idols can be made out of mental images formed by the mind which stand inside our hearts.

When we have formed mental images of a god based on the desires in our heart, other than based on the one true God revealed by Scripture, we have set up an idol in our heart.

“The heart is more deceitful than all else
And is desperately sick;
Who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9.

“2 Listen, O heavens, and hear, O earth;
For the Lord speaks,
“Sons I have reared and brought up,
But they have revolted against Me.
3 “An ox knows its owner,
And a donkey its master’s manger,
But Israel does not know,
My people do not understand.”

4 Alas, sinful nation,
People weighed down with iniquity,
Offspring of evildoers,
Sons who act corruptly!
They have abandoned the Lord,
They have despised the Holy One of Israel,
They have turned away from Him.”  Isaiah 1:2-4.

We should not be lazy and trust our own heart to form a mental image of God based on our desires or based on worldly culture or even based on only elders’ speculations as today’s Scripture also teaches.  
 
Instead, we should diligently study Scripture and ultimately trust Scripture alone to reveal Whom the one true God is.

“Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”  Acts 17:11.

“So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord.
His going forth is as certain as the dawn;
And He will come to us like the rain,
Like the spring rain watering the earth.”  Hosea 6:3.

“My son, if you will receive my words
And treasure my commandments within you,
2 Make your ear attentive to wisdom,
Incline your heart to understanding;
3 For if you cry for discernment,
Lift your voice for understanding;
4 If you seek her as silver
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
5 Then you will discern the fear of the Lord
And discover the knowledge of God.”  Proverbs 2:1-5.

“Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to those who prophesy from their own inspiration, ‘Listen to the word of the Lord!  Thus says the Lord God, “Woe to the foolish prophets who are following their own spirit and have seen nothing.  O Israel, your prophets have been like foxes among ruins.  You have not gone up into the breaches, nor did you build the wall around the house of Israel to stand in the battle on the day of the Lord.  They see falsehood and lying divination who are saying, ‘The Lord declares,’ when the Lord has not sent them;  yet they hope for the fulfillment of their word.  Did you not see a false vision and speak a lying divination when you said, ‘The Lord declares,’ but it is not I who have spoken?”’”

Therefore, thus says the Lord God, “Because you have spoken falsehood and seen a lie, therefore behold, I am against you,” declares the Lord God.”  Ezekiel 13:1-8.

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“Is not My word like fire?” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer which shatters a rock?  Therefore behold, I am against the prophets,” declares the Lord, “who steal My words from each other.  Behold, I am against the prophets,” declares the Lord, “who use their tongues and declare, ‘The Lord declares.’  Behold, I am against those who have prophesied false dreams,” declares the Lord, “and related them and led My people astray by their falsehoods and reckless boasting;  yet I did not send them or command them, nor do they furnish this people the slightest benefit,” declares the Lord.”  Jeremiah 23:29-32.

“…  the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”  John 6:63. 

“… “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”  Matthew 4:4.

“The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever.”  Isaiah 40:8.

“for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.”  1 Peter 1:23. 

“⁷ The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
⁸ The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
⁹ The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.
¹⁰ They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
¹¹ Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.”  1 Peter 1:7-11.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;  so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16.

“⁵ Every word of God is tested;
He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
⁶ Do not add to His words
Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.”  Proverbs 30:5-6.

“For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God;  for He gives the Spirit without measure.”  John 3:34.

“He who is of God hears the words of God;  for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.”  John 8:47.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  … And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”  Ephesians 6:10-11 and 17.

Today’s devotion comes from Ezekiel chapter 12.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+12&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, you live in the midst of the rebellious house, who have eyes to see but do not see, ears to hear but do not hear; for they are a rebellious house.  Therefore, son of man, prepare for yourself baggage for exile and go into exile by day in their sight;  even go into exile from your place to another place in their sight.  Perhaps they will understand though they are a rebellious house.  Bring your baggage out by day in their sight, as baggage for exile. Then you will go out at evening in their sight, as those going into exile.  Dig a hole through the wall in their sight and go out through it.  Load the baggage on your shoulder in their sight and carry it out in the dark. You shall cover your face so that you cannot see the land, for I have set you as a sign to the house of Israel.”

I did so, as I had been commanded.  By day I brought out my baggage like the baggage of an exile.  Then in the evening I dug through the wall with my hands;  I went out in the dark and carried the baggage on my shoulder in their sight.

In the morning the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, has not the house of Israel, the rebellious house, said to you, ‘What are you doing?’  Say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “This burden concerns the prince in Jerusalem as well as all the house of Israel who are in it.”’  Say, ‘I am a sign to you.  As I have done, so it will be done to them; they will go into exile, into captivity.’

…

Furthermore, the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, behold, the house of Israel is saying, ‘The vision that he sees is for many years from now, and he prophesies of times far off.’  Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “None of My words will be delayed any longer.  Whatever word I speak will be performed,”’” declares the Lord God.”  Ezekiel 12:1-11 and 26-28.

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God gave words of warning, signs of warning, and expedited performance of what was warned.

But, the house of Israel did not have ears to hear the words of warning nor eyes to see the signs of warning nor a soft heart to understand and repent.  In a word, they were rebellious.

“And Moses summoned all Israel and said to them, “You have seen all that the Lord did before your eyes in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh and all his servants and all his land;  the great trials which your eyes have seen, those great signs and wonders.  Yet to this day the Lord has not given you a heart to know, nor eyes to see, nor ears to hear.”  Deuteronomy 29:2-4.

“²⁰ “Declare this in the house of Jacob
And proclaim it in Judah, saying,
²¹ ‘Now hear this, O foolish and senseless people,
Who have eyes but do not see;
Who have ears but do not hear.
²² ‘Do you not fear Me?’ declares the Lord.
‘Do you not tremble in My presence?
For I have placed the sand as a boundary for the sea,
An eternal decree, so it cannot cross over it.
Though the waves toss, yet they cannot prevail;
Though they roar, yet they cannot cross over it.
²³ ‘But this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart;
They have turned aside and departed.
²⁴ ‘They do not say in their heart,
“Let us now fear the Lord our God,
Who gives rain in its season,
Both the autumn rain and the spring rain,
Who keeps for us
The appointed weeks of the harvest.”
²⁵ ‘Your iniquities have turned these away,
And your sins have withheld good from you.”  Jeremiah 5:20-25.

Yet, other doctrine is still proud and pleas:  “Instruct us.  Show us a sign.  We will understand and repent.”

But, Reformed Doctrine is humble, knowing the “Total Depravity” of man, clings to the hope given by God to the exiles in the prior chapter.

“And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them.  And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them.  Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God.”  Ezekiel 11:19-20.

Today’s devotion comes from Ezekiel chapter 11.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+11&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“¹⁶ Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Though I had removed them far away among the nations and though I had scattered them among the countries, yet I was a sanctuary for them a little while in the countries where they had gone.”’  ¹⁷ Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries among which you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.”’  ¹⁸ When they come there, they will remove all its detestable things and all its abominations from it.  ¹⁹ And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them.  And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, ²⁰ that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them.  Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God.  ²¹ But as for those whose hearts go after their detestable things and abominations, I will bring their conduct down on their heads,” declares the Lord God.

²² Then the cherubim lifted up their wings with the wheels beside them, and the glory of the God of Israel hovered over them.  ²³ The glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city and stood over the mountain which is east of the city.  ²⁴ And the Spirit lifted me up and brought me in a vision by the Spirit of God to the exiles in Chaldea.  So the vision that I had seen left me.  ²⁵ Then I told the exiles all the things that the LORD had shown me.”  Ezekiel 11:16-25.

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The exiles in Chaldea (Babylon) may have felt alone, but they were not alone. 

“… ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Though I had removed them far away among the nations and though I had scattered them among the countries, yet I was a sanctuary for them a little while in the countries where they had gone.”’  Verse 16.

We not only have this conclusion that God was a sanctuary for the exiles, we see how God was a sanctuary for them in different ways.

First, we see that God used the prophet Ezekiel to tell the exiles all the things that the LORD had shown him.  Verse 25.

Second, we see that God moved His glory closer to the exiles.  God moved his glory from the midst of the city to stand over the mountain which is east of the city.  Verse 23.  The exiles were in Chaldea which is to the east (and north) of the city.  And so, they could feel comfort in this movement of the glory of the LORD toward them.

Third, we see that God gave the exiles a promise of a miraculous salvation for them.  “And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them.  And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them.  Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God.”  Verses 19-20. 

We too may feel alone, but we are not alone. 

God is our sanctuary too.

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!”  Psalm 91:1-2.

God has given us His Word (the Scriptures) to reveal Himself to us and His work for us.

God’s Spirit dwells with us.  “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”  1 Corinthians 3:16.

“… the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9.

“⁷ Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
⁸ If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
⁹ If I take the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
¹⁰ Even there Your hand will lead me,
And Your right hand will lay hold of me.”  Psalm 139:7-10.

Jesus saves us and gives us eternal life.

“She will bear a Son;  and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”  Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:  “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”  Matthew 1:21-23.

“even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life.”  John 17:2.

Today’s devotion comes from Ezekiel chapter 10.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+10&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Then the glory of the Lord departed from the threshold of the temple and stood over the cherubim.  When the cherubim departed, they lifted their wings and rose up from the earth in my sight with the wheels beside them;  and they stood still at the entrance of the east gate of the Lord’s house, and the glory of the God of Israel hovered over them.”  Ezekiel 10:18-19.

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Nothing is more precious than the glory of the LORD.

The glory of the LORD guided Israel.

“The Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.”  Exodus 13:21.

The glory of the LORD brought food to Israel.

“It came about as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the sons of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud.  And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “I have heard the grumblings of the sons of Israel;  speak to them, saying, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread;  and you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’”  Exodus 16:10-12.

The glory of the LORD gave Israel victory over their enemies.

“So David blessed the Lord in the sight of all the assembly;  and David said, “Blessed are You, O Lord God of Israel our father, forever and ever.  Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth;  Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all.  Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might;  and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone.  Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name.’  1 Chronicles 29:10-13.

And, nothing is more sad than when the glory of the LORD departed (such as we read about the glory of the LORD leaving the temple in today’s Scripture as part of the LORD’s judgment against Israel).

We are reminded of the story of the taking of the ark of God and the defeat of Israel and the testimony of Phinehas’ wife.

“Now his daughter-in-law, Phinehas’s wife, was pregnant and about to give birth; and when she heard the news that the ark of God was taken and that her father-in-law and her husband had died, she kneeled down and gave birth, for her pains came upon her.  And about the time of her death the women who stood by her said to her, “Do not be afraid, for you have given birth to a son.”  But she did not answer or pay attention.  And she called the boy Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel,” because the ark of God was taken and because of her father-in-law and her husband.  She said, “The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God was taken.”  1 Samuel 4:19-22.

So, let us treasure and seek the glory of the LORD!

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  John 1:14.

“This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.”  John 2:11.

“Jesus spoke these things;  and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come;  glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life.  This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.  I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.  Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.”  John 17:1-5.

“The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one;  I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.  Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.”  John 17:22-24.

And, this glory of the LORD will never leave us!

“… for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,”  Hebrews 13:5.

“Who will separate us from the love of Christ?  Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  Just as it is written,

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:35-39.

Today’s devotion comes from Ezekiel chapter 9.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+9&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Then He cried out in my hearing with a loud voice saying, “Draw near, O executioners of the city, each with his destroying weapon in his hand.”  Behold, six men came from the direction of the upper gate which faces north, each with his shattering weapon in his hand;  and among them was a certain man clothed in linen with a writing case at his loins.  And they went in and stood beside the bronze altar.

Then the glory of the God of Israel went up from the cherub on which it had been, to the threshold of the temple.  And He called to the man clothed in linen at whose loins was the writing case.  The Lord said to him, “Go through the midst of the city, even through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations which are being committed in its midst.”  But to the others He said in my hearing, “Go through the city after him and strike;  do not let your eye have pity and do not spare.  Utterly slay old men, young men, maidens, little children, and women, but do not touch any man on whom is the mark; and you shall start from My sanctuary.”  So they started with the elders who were before the temple.”  Ezekiel 9:1-6.

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It is interesting that the LORD saved those “who sigh and groan over all the abominations which are being committed in its midst.”  Verse 4.

We think of how God saved Lot who likewise “felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds”.

God “… condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter;”, but God “… rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds),”  2 Peter 2:6-8.

“I hate the assembly of evildoers,
And I will not sit with the wicked.”  Psalm 26:5.

“I hate those who regard vain idols,
But I trust in the Lord.”  Psalm 31:6.

“Hate evil, you who love the Lord,
Who preserves the souls of His godly ones;
He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.”  Psalm 97:10.

“Burning indignation has seized me because of the wicked,
Who forsake Your law.”  Psalm 119:53.

“From Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way.”  Psalm 119:104.

“¹²⁶ It is time for the Lord to act,
For they have broken Your law.
¹²⁷ Therefore I love Your commandments
Above gold, yes, above fine gold.
¹²⁸ Therefore I esteem right all Your precepts concerning everything,
I hate every false way.”  Psalm 119:126-128.

“¹³⁵ Make Your face shine upon Your servant,
And teach me Your statutes.
¹³⁶ My eyes shed streams of water,
Because they do not keep Your law.”  Psalm 119:135-136.

“¹⁶² I rejoice at Your word,
As one who finds great spoil.
¹⁶³ I hate and despise falsehood,
But I love Your law.”  Psalm 119:162-163.