READING: Ezekiel 27-30
Yesterday morning, I opened the Word and preached twice to a congregation in West Virginia. I reminded them of God’s incredible blessing to us in granting us access to His Word in our language. Then, today’s reading reminds me again of a more encompassing and even more amazing truth: that God communicates with us at all in the first place.
Within today’s words of God’s judgment on the nations (including Tyre, Sidon, and Egypt) is a continuing pattern of God’s making Himself known both to Ezekiel and to the nations. Notice the recurrent phrases that show God to be a God who speaks to people:
- “The word of the Lord came to me” [Ezekiel] occurs eight times.
- “This is what the Lord God says” (or a similar phrase) occurs fifteen times.
- “For I have spoken” (or a similar phrase) occurs two times.
- “This is the declaration of the Lord God” occurs three times.
- “Then they will know that I am the Lord” (or a similar phrase) occurs twelve times.
God raises up His spokesmen who declare His message. He initiates the message, confirms the message, and uses the message to make Himself known. Whether He speaks through judgment on the nations or restoration of His people, He declares His name to the world.
Even today, God speaks to us through His Word. Thus, many of us are doubly blessed: our God communicates through His Word, and we have copies of that Word in its entirety in our language. We must not take either gift lightly.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: How much do you take for granted God’s initiating conversations with us?
PRAYER: “Father, You are a gracious, communicating God. Forgive me when I take that truth for granted.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Ezekiel 31-33
*portions of this devotion first published in 2015
We have a light on the path (scripture) and a presence in the dark (The Holy Spirit).