Ezekiel was a prophet who sometimes had to deliver some horrible news. In the part of his prophecy we call chapter 36, he gets to deliver some good news, some amazing news with an ominous feel. That feel makes the news even better.
At the beginning of the chapter, God gives Ezekiel words to speak to the mountains, the land. He declares that the pain and ridicule the land itself has suffered at the hands of Israel’s enemies would one day be done and in that day, God would erase all shame and cause the land to no longer hear the taunts of its enemies.
Then God has Ezekiel share with the people: “I am bringing you back, but not because you deserve it.” See the people had not only defiled themselves by choosing other gods over YHWH, they had adapted fully to the culture of their captivity, taking the gods and the unholy ways as their own. They didn’t deserve to be restored. They had shamed the very name of the Lord.
Isn’t that like us today? We choose everything and everyone to worship besides Almighty God, especially SELF.
Self is an unrelenting god. It demands full devotion with no room for others. It gives us physical pain if we don’t obey and holds us captive regardless what we try.
Yet, just like with Israel, God will place a new heart and a new spirit in us. One that chooses Him over self and any other gods. One that has peace. One free from captivity. One free from anxiety. One at peace with its Creator.
Those who heard Ezekiel’s words had to wait for this new heart and spirit. It came when Messiah came and died on the cross of Calvary, was buried, and rose again on the third day. We don’t have that wait. We can receive this new heart and spirit simply by receiving that sacrifice on Golgotha made for us. Declare that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead. Notice the new you. It IS possible to live in freedom. God offers it to you today.
Will you accept it and live in freedom? If you already live in the freedom of salvation, have you told all your friends and family about the freedom you’re living in and how you attained it? Time to do so; don’t you think?
Coffee, Bible, Journal.
