The devotion comes from
Surrounding text from Ezekiel 36.
22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. 23 And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. 24 I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.a]">[a] 28 You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. 29 And I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. And I will summon the grain and make it abundant and lay no famine upon you. 30 I will make the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field abundant, that you may never again suffer the disgrace of famine among the nations. 31 Then you will remember your evil ways, and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves for your iniquities and your abominations. 32 It is not for your sake that I will act, declares the Lord God; let that be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, O house of Israel.
My thoughts
When through you I vindicate my holiness.
I had to stop and look up what it means for someone to vindicate.
Definition(s):
- (v) show to be right by providing justification or proof
- (v) maintain, uphold, or defend
- (v) clear of accusation, blame, suspicion, or doubt with supporting proof
Today's devotion is a call for us to act like the people God calls us to be. A people who actively call out to God saying OH GOD, help us please. Make us a repentant people. Make us a people who truly show WHO YOU ARE. This is the call that God has before us. We need to act like we should or you know what? God will act and show people himself and when he does that....discipline of his people follows.
Now I don't mind the discipline of the Lord God, he's like my dad right? I am in awe and fear of him, but I do know he has my best at heart. But the discipline of the Lord is not something to take likely either. We must needs act like the people of God. Aware of God's power and might and holiness and showing it in our actions. We must needs do this. If we don't, how will people come to truly understand who the Lord himself is? How?
I know of no other way than the people of God acting as they should OR God exercising his discipline on his people. God calls people to himself...he can do it without our help, but OUR HELP is what he calls for us to give. Who are we really to say no? He is our sustainer, provider, and our God. He cares. All we need to do is respond back to that care with all that we are. :) let's love God together shall we?
In the email
Where are the men and women who love God supremely, who fear nothing and no one but Him? Where are the saints who live like saints, whose lives are above reproach in their homes, their work, their speech, their habits, their attitudes, their finances, their relationships?
Where are the children of God whose eyes are filled with tears, whose knees are sore from pleading with God to grant the gift of repentance, whose hearts ache when they see an unholy church entertaining herself to death?
Where are the Christian leaders with the compassion and courage to call the church to be clean before God? Where are the moms and dads and young people willing to deal thoroughly and decisively with any and every unholy thing in their hearts and their homes?
The church has been waiting for the world to get right with God. When will we realize that the world is waiting for the church to get right with God? It is time for us to repent, to pursue holiness by His grace and for His glory. We can scarcely imagine the impact that will be felt in our world when the holiness of Christ is seen in and through His people.
Has the Spirit identified anything unholy in your heart, home, habits, or relationships? What is keeping you from dealing with it? What difference might it make if our world could see a reflection of a holy God in those of us who are called by His name?
Follow up
Is the Lord telling you something?
I'd be delighted to talk further with you if you want to share your thoughts. Cheers! :)