READING: Ezekiel 29-32, 1 Peter 3:1-4:11
I am often struck by repetition in the scriptures, and I find much of it in today’s Old Testament reading. Particularly, Ezekiel writes this phrase over and over again as he prophesied judgment on the nations: “This is what the Lord God says” (Ezek 29:3, 8, 13, 19; 30:2, 6, 10, 13, 22; 31:10, 15; 32:3, 10).
“This is what the Lord God says”—that phrase really does matter. These are not the words of just the preacher or the commentator and or the author or the podcaster; they are what the Lord God says. That truth means the hearers and readers of the words must pay attention. After all, there is only one God.
Moreover, the repetition of this phrase also reminds us that we need to know what the Lord God says. If these words are His words, we should want to hear from Him—even when the words are words of warning and judgment. Thus, reading and meditating on the Word of God are not optional assignments for believers; instead, they are life-giving and life-transforming tasks.
Not taking the time to know what the Lord says can be both arrogant and foolish. On one hand, to ignore His Word is to say, “I don’t need to hear from Him.” On the other hand, it is to make decisions and take steps based solely on our own ideas and plans. That’s risky, especially when we recognize the deceitfulness of our own hearts. We need to know, pay attention to, and obey what the Lord God says.
PRAYER: “Help me, Father, to obey You without exception today.”
DAILY ACTION STEP: Spend even more time today meditating on God’s Word.
TOMORROW’S READING: Ezekiel 33-35, 1 Peter 4:12-5:14