TOPIC: GOD WILL NOT GIVE UP ON US
Bible Reading: Ezekiel 20:33-49
33 As I live, saith the Lord God, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you:
34 And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out.
35 And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face.
36 Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord God.
37 And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant:
38 And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the Lord.
39 As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord God; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and hereafter also, if ye will not hearken unto me: but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols.
40 For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord God, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, serve me: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the firstfruits of your oblations, with all your holy things.
41 I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen.
42 And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to your fathers.
43 And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been defiled; and ye shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed.
44 And ye shall know that I am the Lord when I have wrought with you for my name’s sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord God.
45 Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
46 Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop thy word toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field;
47 And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.
48 And all flesh shall see that I the Lord have kindled it: it shall not be quenched.
49 Then said I, Ah Lord God! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables?
TOPIC: GOD WILL NOT GIVE UP ON US
Israel wanted to be like the other nations, who serve god of wood and stones. This was a terrible decision. How could they forsake God, the spring of living water, and dig their own cisterns, broken cisterns (v.32; Jer 2:13)? But our God, who is all-wise and loyal in love would neither give up on them nor allow them to pursue such a dreadful decision. Read God’s response to the people’s intended decision (vs. 32-33). What do you think made serving the gods of the nations more attractive than serving Yahweh, the Most High God? In what ways are we tempted to give up our trust in God and pursue other things? We should always remember that our God is irreplaceable. God in His loyal love and mercy will do everything to bring back His erring people to Himself. Identify some of these in vs.32-38. The people must choose between idols and God (v.39). The faithful will turn from their former evil idolatry and serve God (vs.40, 43). Then both Israel (v.44) and the nations (v.41) will recognise God’s glory.
Also Read: OBEY THE LORD AND LIVE Ezekiel 20:21-32
Missions: SINGAPORE-Singaporean society is built on dedicated labour, discipline and self-reliance. These engender stability, good governance and a corruption-resistant culture. Pray for justice and fair treatment for all those from abroad; despite good legal safeguards, exploitation does exist. Pray that churches might become more active in assisting those at risk. One third of the nation are Bhudists. Ask God for help.
Prayer: I praise you, Lord, for your help. loyal love that will not let you give up on me. May l also be loyal to You.
Bible In One Year: Jeremiah 13-16
Key Point: The steadfastness of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end.
