READING:
One-year plan: Ezekiel 37-40
Two-year plan: Jeremiah 22, 2 Timothy 3:1-9
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People around the world build altars and houses and shrines to false gods that don’t exist, but our God takes up residence in no building; He lives in us. Others strive to do enough good works to appease a false god who remains distant even from the most faithful of their religion. That’s not our God — He lives in us. Some still kill animals to offer sacrifices to a false god assumed to reside only in the faraway heavens. That’s not our God, either. He owns the heavens, and still He lives in us.
Today’s reading in Ezekiel reminds us of the life-giving power of the Spirit of God who resides in us. In the interpretation of the dry bones coming to life — a picture primarily of the revival and return of God’s people — God speaks these words to His people through Ezekiel: “I will put my Spirit in you and you will live” (Ezek 37:14). God’s people would experience renewal only because God’s Spirit granted them life. Remove the presence of God evident in His Spirit, and there simply would be no life.
Thus, this valley of dry bones at least points toward our life as believers. God’s Spirit in us is life-transforming. Indeed, we on our own are dead in our sin (Eph 2:1-3) and destined for eternal darkness. It is only because God’s Spirit convicts us, woos us, saves us, seals us, convicts us, and leads us that we live as His children. The Spirit of God takes our dead bones and gives them life.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: How much do you consider the work of the Spirit in your life?
PRAYER: “God, thank You for giving me life.”
TOMORROW’S READING:
One-year plan: Ezekiel 41-44
Two-year plan: Jeremiah 23-24, 2 Timothy 3:10-4:8
MEMORIZATION VERSE (September 1-15)
“For what does it benefit someone to gain the whole world and yet lose his life?” (Mark 8:36)