The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 7 May 2020 – Be Reconciled To God
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TOPIC: Be Reconciled To God
Read: Ezekiel 36:33-38 (NKJV)
33 ‘ Thus says the Lord GOD: “On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also enable [you] to dwell in the cities, and the ruins shall be rebuilt.
34 “The desolate land shall be tilled instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass by.
35 “So they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the wasted, desolate, and ruined cities [are now] fortified [and] inhabited.’
36 “Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the LORD, have rebuilt the ruined places [and] planted what was desolate. I, the LORD, have spoken [it,] and I will do [it.”]
37 ‘ Thus says the Lord GOD: “I will also let the house of Israel inquire of Me to do this for them: I will increase their men like a flock.
38 “Like a flock offered as holy sacrifices, like the flock at Jerusalem on its feast days, so shall the ruined cities be filled with flocks of men. Then they shall know that I [am] the LORD.” ‘ “
THE MESSAGE:
Our text first addresses the pre-condition for divine restoration (verse 33). Upon restoration, Israel would become like the Garden of Eden; fertile, fruitful and urbanised (verse 35, verse 38). Above all, God would once more hear Israel’s prayers (see Ezekiel 20:3; Ezekiel 36:37) and would be glorified again by all, including the surrounding nations. Note in verse 21, verse 22 and verse 32, it is God who does the cleansing and restoration of the lost glory, purely out of grace and for His Name’s sake. This points to the new covenant (verses 25-28) and the work of the Holy Spirit based on the finished work of Christ on the cross.
Today, with the redemptive work completed, God works in us from within, where the Holy Spirit comes to take up the work of transformation (Philippians 2:13). Our ruined lives now have the opportunity to be regenerated. We can be refreshed, re-occupied or occupied by a new master (2 Corinthians 5: 16-18). The purpose of today’s meditation is to arouse in us the desire to seek or respond to God if we have not done so yet. Read verse 32b again.
PRAYER: Lord, hear my prayers for Your divine restoration and blessings.
