BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “And I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. And one king shall be king over them all, and they shall be no longer two nations, and no longer divided into two kingdoms.” Ezekiel 37:22 ESV

A common illusion is for the magician to take a string cut into two pieces; tie a know in them and to restore the string to one piece. The Lord instructs Ezekiel in a similar but different approach. Here is what He says,

The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, take a stick and write on it, ‘For Judah, and the people of Israel associated with him’; then take another stick and write on it, ‘For Joseph (the stick of Ephraim) and all the house of Israel associated with him.’ And join them one to another into one stick, that they may become one in your hand.” (Ezekiel 37:15-17 ESV)

This was no “magic trick” and was a declaration of great historical and spiritual significance. The Lord called Abraham and Sarah on a journey to a land they did not know, with a promise they could not comprehend. They would become a great nation.

Out of one man, many people would arise. From those many people, one nation would be formed. But we see that “one” nation in the promised land existed only through the reign of David and Solomon (a total of 80 years) Because of Solomon’s idolatry the Lord allowed the nation of Israel to be divided. Samaria became the capital of Israel made up of 10 tribes. Jerusalem remained the capital of Judah made up of two tribes. Over the next several hundred years they remained two separate nations. At times they were bitter enemies, at other times they were allies.

The prophets of the Lord would speak God’s message to both nations before the Assyrians took Israel captive before the Babylonians fully captured Judah. As the Lord restored His people back to Jerusalem and the land of Israel, His word to Ezekiel was that God’s people who had made up both Israel and Judah would come back to the land and would once again be one nation, one people, God’s people, ruled by David.

“My servant David shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd. They shall walk in my rules and be careful to obey my statutes. They shall dwell in the land that I gave to my servant Jacob, where your fathers lived.” (Ezekiel 37:24,25 ESV) 

These verses carry a Messianic picture when Christ would not only come, but beyond the day in which we live when Christ will reign over all the nations of the world. God’s people would once again be like David, the man after God’s own heart. They would have the “law written on their hearts” they would truly “know” the Lord and love and serve Him.

Psalm 133 declares, “How good and pleasant when brothers dwell together in unity….” God’s desire is unity, peace and harmony. Paul in Ephesians declares how Christ in the cross brings Jews and Gentiles into one spiritual family.

^“For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God…” (Ephesians 2:18,19 ESV)

I recall two churches that had existed for years that had been formed due to a “church split” were “reunited” as one church it was a cause for great celebration and blessing to the community. I recall the rejoicing when the “Berlin Wall” was broken down.

The Lord blesses unity, delights in peace and honors those who work toward those ends.

Prayer for today….. Lord allow us to be those who seek for unity and work for peace and rejoice when it takes place. We rejoice in You restoring Your people as one nation, and we anticipate the day when the kingdoms of this world, become the kingdoms of our Christ and Lord.

Since last night I have been fighting a cold and the loss of my voice. The first “seasonal” type of sickness since my health crisis, which is good. I was able to get out this morning to our men’s breakfast at the church. My friend Gary Ozello from CSU shared his story of faith. It was great to see several men commitment their lives to the Lord and a path of greater trust in Him.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “I will make with them a covenant of peace and banish wild beasts from the land, so that they may dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. And I will make them and the places all around my hill a blessing, and I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing” Ezekiel 34:25,26 ESV

We have certainly had our share of literal “rain showers” that have been a blessing on some dry grass and have helped save water in recent weeks. But these verses above caught my attention for a different reason.

We see in Ezekiel the pronouncements of the Lord’s judgment on the land. It included poverty, pestilence, wile animals, being overrun by enemies and the like. But following the pronouncement of judgment we see the promise of restoration and these verses speak to that.

So we read of the promise of peace, wild beasts driven from the land security and the blessing of the Lord like a shower. This was undoubtedly literal and timely showers that would provide for prosperous crops to feed the people and enhance their livelihood. These would be “showers of blessing.”

Consider the blessing that would come to God’s people.  ^“And the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield its increase….they shall be secure in their land….I break the bars of their yoke, and deliver them from the hand of those who enslaved them. They shall no more be a prey to the nations, nor shall the beasts of the land devour them. They shall dwell securely, and none shall make them afraid….no more [shall they] be consumed with hunger in the land, and no longer suffer the reproach of the nations. And they shall know that I am the Lord their God with them….” (Ezekiel 34:27-30 ESV)

All that sin and rebellion brought into their lives, the Lord would reverse and restore. Blessings are not only to be received, but to share. The Lord has designed us to be “channels” not “reservoirs” of the blessings of the Lord.

To Abraham the Lord said, “You shall be blessed and you shall be a blessing.” (Genesis 12:2) We read, “Give an it shall be given…” (Luke 6:38) “He will make you rich in every way so that you can always give freely.” (2 Corinthians 9:11) “Such as I have, I give to you…” (Acts 3:6) “It is more blessed to give, than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)

The blessing of the Lord would allow God’s people to “know Him” and His salvation and restoration in their lives. What they would experience would have not have an explanation in human terms, it would be as a sign from the Lord. As such what they have was truly a gift and a trust from the Lord. It was to be a blessing to them and through them; and that same is true in our lives.

Prayer for today…. Lord thank you for the blessings that come to us that we don’t deserve and that You provide to reverse and to restore the losses that our own actions have created. We continually see Your mercy and grace along with Your justice. Allow us to be blessed and be a blessing.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Yet your people say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just,’ when it is their own way that is not just.” Ezekiel 33:17 ESV

“It’s not fair!” yells one sibling to a parent when they make a decision about their brother or sister. It seems that the concept of “fairness” is one that is dependent upon who is “getting the break” or who is “getting the punishment.” Someone once observed, “we want mercy for ourselves and justice for everyone else.”

First of all we can all be glad that we are on “this side of the cross.” The forgiveness and grace of the Lord covers our sins by virtue of the cross and we are no longer under the “law.” But as Ezekiel addressed God’s people the message is focused on where you stand when life is over.

The Lord declares that the one who trusts in his own righteousness and begins to act unjustly and wickedly will pay the price for turning from obedience and blessing. Conversely the one who has acted wickedly and yet turns to a life of repentance and obedience will be “saved.”

To this the people declare, “God is not fair!” To them, like many today, they would weigh in the balances “good” and “bad” and then make a determination as to which outweighed the other. So in their minds a life that was more “good” than “bad” could not be negated by the “bad” and the life that was more “bad” than “good” could not be negated from by the “good.”

The contrast between God’s standards the people’s response is clear, “Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ O house of Israel, I will judge each of you according to his ways.” (Ezekiel 33:20)

My attention is drawn to the Lord’s statement, “I will judge each of you according to his ways.” It is interesting how human standards say, “the same for everyone.” the Lord’s standard is, “Each person and their situation is different.” So when the Lord acts differently than our human standard and perspective we declare Him to be “unfair.”

I am thankful the Lord is not constrained by the human standard of “precedent.” Consider the thief on the cross. A “deathbed” request of the Lord changed his eternal destiny. Some would say, “unfair.” At the extreme I have had people whose judgement of the Lord and His ways caused them to rebel or stay in their sin. For them, what they can’t accept or agree to they won’t believe in.

This makes me think of the words of Isaiah, “Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker, those who are nothing but potsherds among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘The potter has no hands’? (Isaiah 45:9)

As we look at the New Testament, here are some consistent standards of the Lord. “All have sinned.” (Romans 3:23) and “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

We are better off to accept what is clear, and to trust the specifics to the Lord. If we analyze too minutely we can find ourselves, judging the judge, instead of trusting the judge. Our confidence can be, “Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25)

Prayer for today….. Lord give us the trust and faith to yield our lives to You, even when we are tempted say, “unfair!” There is much that we don’t understand and we can be quick to judge, but we do so by human standards. Thank you that You are God and we are not.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, behold, I am about to take the delight of your eyes away from you at a stroke; yet you shall not mourn or weep, nor shall your tears run down….So I spoke to the people in the morning, and at evening my wife died. And on the next morning I did as I was commanded.” Ezekiel 24:15,16.18 ESV

I learned recently of the death of the wife my former high school baseball coach. We have stayed in touch over the last 45 years and I remember at times she would visit my church and was committed to her faith. Her husband was an outstanding athlete in his day and a successful coach and sports official. His persona was typical for his generation. Not too much indication of softness and affection. But they had been married 56 years and had known each other four years before being married. As I visited with him all he could do was cry about the loss of his partner who met more to him than anyone would know.

Ezekiel faced the most difficult challenge that any prophet of God could face. Others have endured ridicule, persecution and rejection. But part of the Lord using him to communicate God’s message to His people was to face the death of his wife without mourning.

The Children of Israel knew how to mourn! We see vivid descriptions of mourning the include loud cries, tearing of garments, throwing dirt on their heads. The typical time of mourning was 30 days. But none of that would be demonstrated by Ezekiel over the death of the “delight of his eyes.”

God’s people were the “delight of His eye.” We see David pray, “Keep me as the apple of your eye….” (Psalm 17:8) For them their demise was going to gradual and not sudden. It wasn’t the Lord’s first choice, but it was one that had to be made. It seems it would make more sense for the mourning to be more intense for Ezekiel than less. But God is God.

Following the Lord doesn’t mean hardships are avoided and there are answers to every question and insight into every event. This is one of those passage that I can finding myself reading through without stopping and saying, “What?!” “Why? Lord?” “Isn’t there a better way?” We have no explanation, we are only left to conjecture.

Hosea was called by God to marry a prostitute; father children, whose name’s would be metaphors for God’s people. He would see his wife abandon him and then be called to “reclaim” her.

Jeremiah in following the Lord, at one time like Job, wished he had never been born, let alone follow the Lord’s call to be a prophet. Daniel faced the lion’s den. We see the book of Hebrews describe the cost of faith for those who followed the Lord,  ^“Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated…”  (Hebrews 11:36,37 NIV)

That would seem to make recruiting difficult for sure. In it all we can find what the Lord allows some to experience is the not case for all. We see the Lord knows what He is doing and we have to trust Him, even when God and life don’t make sense.

Prayer for today…. Lord whether we read it in scripture or experience it in our life, keep us from reacting to that which doesn’t make sense to us, leading to faulty conclusions. Help us to trust You in all situations, not just those we can accept or match our desires. 

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY….  ^“Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.” Ezekiel 18:31,32 ESV

I recall when serving on our local HOA board, the issue of liability for our decisions and actions was being discussed. I called an attorney at the State legislature to ask about protections for volunteer board members. His response was, “Representative Summers, you have to try to be negligent and irresponsible in order to be vulnerable for any liability.”

Many people fail to understand the heart of the Lord for people. Even those who are living in rebellion to all that is righteous and pleasing to the Lord. Many believe the Lord, “delights” in seeing people go to an eternity outside of His presence. The very opposite is true.

I would submit that an individual has to “try” to avoid heaven and suffer the consequences of the stubbornness of their own heart. We see the Lord in the Old Testament, even while bringing much deserved judgment, still pleads with people to turn from their ways.

In the Book of Revelation, we see a glimpse into future “judgment” on a rebellious world. We see the Lord’s judgments are not so much as to punish, but to attempt one last effort to get people’s attention. We read, “The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.” (Revelation 9:20,21 NIV)

It is interesting how hard hearts will refuse to “cry uncle” even when the final call is given. We read the words of Paul, “…..God our Savior, [who] wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3,4 NIV)

The writer of Hebrews declares, “…how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.” (Hebrews 2:3 NIV) To the Romans Paul writes and says, “…since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” (Romans 1:19,20 NIV)

The opportunity is wide open. It is not an exclusive or “closed” invitation. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13 NIV) Regardless of the issues of life or what an individual has done, we have the assurance of scripture, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 NIV)

That is good news for those beginning their walk with the Lord and those who have been in relationship with Him for many years.

Prayer for today…. Lord when we consider Your heart for people to know You and the gift of Your Son to make the way wide open we join with the apostle Paul and declare, Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! (Rom. 11:33) Lord, may we see more clearly Your heart and Your desire for all to come to You.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY….  “Son of man, when a land sins against me by acting faithlessly, and I stretch out my hand against it and break its supply of bread and send famine upon it, and cut off from it man and beast, even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver but their own lives by their righteousness, declares the Lord God.”  Ezekiel 14:13,14 ESV

Ezekiel in the Old Testament, can read like Revelation in the New Testament. It is filled with images and figures that can be hard to picture and to figure out. We see Ezekiel instructed to take some “bazaar” actions to become a living object lesson to God’s people in their rebellion and impending judgment.

What is interesting in announcing the destruction of Jerusalem, the Lord through the prophet calls to the attention of the people three notable individuals: Noah, Daniel and Job. The basic message is that the Lord’s determination to bring judgment on the people would not be stopped even if these three men were present in the city. However, they would be spared by their own righteousness.

In this passage the Lord refers to several types of “natural” occurrences as signs of His judgment. Famine, wild beasts, sword and pestilence. The Lord used a flood to bring judgment during Noah’s day. Job suffered great physical and emotional pain. Daniel was thrown in a den of lions, yet the wild beasts did not overcome him.

All three of these men suffered the types of conditions that the Lord was bringing upon Jerusalem. However, they did not experience what they did due to their sin, but serve as examples of faith and faithfulness to the Lord to those of all generations. The prophet in speaking of the disasters to come, says “these men would be saved, even if no one else is; because of their righteousness.”

When we read that, it shows how important our faith and faithfulness to the Lord is, even in the midst of sin, rebellion and the Lord’s judgment. Peter talks about Lot being saved from Sodom and Gomorrah and observes, “…the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.”  (2 Peter 2:9 NIV)

The Lord does use “natural” disasters as His judgment upon the earth. We see this taking place in Revelation. This can be challenging and requires discernment. I would not view with certainty natural disaster and even terrorism in our world today as signs of the “Lord’s judgment.” Although, Abraham Lincoln viewed the Civil War as the Lord’s judgment on a nation. But it does make me curious what the attitude and view of people will be when the events of Revelation do unfold.

Noah, Daniel and Job. All three are commended for their righteousness and their faith. Noah was a “preacher of righteousness” in an unrighteous world. Daniel was used by the Lord as person of influence in a pagan government and stood his ground for the Lord. Job in the midst of suffering, remained faithful in his trust and confidence in the Lord. This shows that there are different ways to “take a stand” and “make a difference” even in the midst of a world of unrighteousness.

Prayer for today…. Lord, keep us strong in our faith and our faithfulness regardless of what takes place in the “world around.” We can observe Your patience and longsuffering, but we see as well the “judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.”

Debbie and I attended the open house at the new Colorado Early College high school in Fort Collins. This open house was well attended with several excellent presentations to present the opportunities the school makes available to its students. Keith King the Founder of CEC is a friend of many years and has a background as a successful businessman and state legislator.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost [sinner], Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.” 1 Timothy 1:16 ESV

If there is one attribute of God that is misunderstood, it is His patience and longsuffering. Many seem to have the idea that if they doing something wrong God will just, “strike them dead!” If that happened none of us would be around for that long! Others interpret a delay in consequences for their wrong actions or attitudes as God’s endorsement or “quiet approval.”

What we do see throughout the Old Testament and reflected in the New Testament as well is that the Lord is patient in giving people the “space” to get tired of living “their own way” and to come to their “senses” and to turn to Him. The way to relationship with Christ is the same for every person. How that relationship comes to be is the personal story of each person.

Jesus called Peter and James and John from their fishing nets. He called Matthew from his work as a tax collector. He encountered Saul of Tarsus in dramatic fashion when he was the number one enemy of Christians. This humbling experience that began Paul’s relationship with Christ, continued through his life.

He refers to himself as the “worst of sinners.” He refers to himself as the “least among the apostles.” As Paul writes to Timothy, he tells him that his story is the prime example of Christ’s patience for those who would come to Him. I believe if he were alive today Paul would say, “If the Lord can forgive (save) me, He can forgive You.” or “If the Lord can change the direction and of my life, He can reach that person you believe to be ‘unreachable.'”

Peter, who knew his many failings, wrote,  “….He [The Lord] is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 NIV)

The proper response on our part is to not “try the patience” of the Lord. When we treat the Lord’s kindness with contempt and use it as an excuse to disregard His invitation, we see that we place ourselves in a dangerous position. That is why we see what the Old Testament implores, repeated in the New Testament, “For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2 NLT)

Our response to the Lord’s patience should worship, just like that of Paul’s. Right after declaring himself as an example of the Lord’s patience, he declares, “To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:17 ESV)

Prayer for today…. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end…” (Lamentations 3:22) Lord thank You for Your patience toward us and toward those who need to come to know You as their Savior and Lord. Allow us to never take it for granted, but to be in constant awe of Your love.

I had my monthly IVIG treatment today. It seemed to go faster than last time which is good. That means my blood pressure wasn’t too high for too long. This is the time that I periodically check the old CaringBridge blogs to see what was happening to me at this time now four years ago during my health crisis. Since I don’t remember many of these early days, it is interesting to find out what was going happening on a certain day. It gives perspective and gratitude for the life I have today. Even with monthly treatments and ongoing recovery.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY….   “I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire…. Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.”  Nehemiah 2:13,17 ESV

Nehemiah is the “cupbearer” who became the “rebuilder of broken walls.” The walls of a city spoke of its strength and security. They defined the parameter and identity of the city and were for protection from invading armies.

When a city was invaded and taken, the walls were torn down. It was not just enough to defeat those inside the walls, the walls that stood for the strength and protection of the city were broken down as a sign of ultimate defeat and humiliation.

The Temple of God had been rebuilt under Ezra. Now the Lord uses Nehemiah to take the next step in restoration of the city of Jerusalem. I am sure the sight was overwhelming, sad and discouraging. The once great city of powerful kings lies in ruin. The first thing Nehemiah does is to “tour the damage.” The walls were torn down and burned. The sight had to be overwhelming and discouraging. Where do you begin? How do you proceed?

Nehemiah was on a mission. He was man of vision because he was a man of prayer. Prayer enables us to keep our eyes on God and His ability and not on our own.

The next thing Nehemiah does is to call others to the task. This was more than a “one man” mission. As he puts out the challenge, it is more than a rebuilding of the walls, it is a call to restore dignity. It was a project intended on “removing derision” and no longer being a people who would have to hang their heads in shame.

We see in Nehemiah and we can observe it in our own lives, there are those who for whatever reason, do not want us to be restored. The progress and restoration of one, can be viewed as a blow to the position and status of another.

At least that is what Nehemiah faced. “…when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard this, it displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel.” (Nehemiah 2:10 ESV)

As Nehemiah rallied the people to come and help and told them of the favor of God on his life and said, “let us rise up and build!” But opposition rose up once again.  ^“But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, “What is this thing that you are doing?….” (Nehemiah 2:19 ESV)

When I read the story of Nehemiah, I think of the words of Isaiah, “See, I have tattooed your name upon my palm, and ever before me is a picture of Jerusalem’s walls in ruins.” (Isaiah 49:16 TLB) The Lord knows the condition of our life. But His desire is for restoration and new life.

Isaiah looks to the future and declares, “Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.” (Isaiah 58:12 NIV)

I am thankful the Lord makes new and He restores.

Prayer for today…. Lord thank You that You are the restorer of the “broken walls” of our life. We may experience defeat, challenges and setbacks, but You are the One who brings us back.