Ezekiel 35-37

After lots of bad news, Ezekiel 35-37 is a much need breath of God's restoring fresh air.

God tells us today, through Ezekiel the prophet, that He is concerned for His people and He looks on them (and us) with favor (Ezekiel 36:9).  God promises restoration for His people.

Do you know what the best part is, at least for me, in the reading today?

God's promises are not dependent on our abilities, they are dependent on God's power, God's mercy, and God's grace.

God doesn't leave us to figure out how to "earn" and "get" what He promises.  He is the one who works in us and through us, empowering us and transforming us.  We don't do the true transformation, God does.

He says,

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you;

  I will remove from you your heart of stone 

  and give you a heart of flesh.

And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow...

Ezekiel 36:26-27

If you're like me, wanting (and trying so hard) to "do good" and to "be good" for God, but realizing your undeniable humanness, this passage from scripture is a relief and a huge help.

I get in the way of myself sometimes.  That's the bottom line.

But God, is reminding us today that the new life He promises us in Christ is not something we can manufacture through OUR doings nor is it temporary.  And as God speaks to Ezekiel and shows him the "valley of dry bones" coming to life, God reveals what He does for us as believers...

"I will put my Spirit in you and you will live,

  and I will settle you in your own land.

Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it,"

  declares the LORD.

Ezekiel 37:14

God is our ever-present help because His very Spirit is living in us.  Our faith doesn't come from us, it is a gift from God.

Faith is a journey.  Wherever we are, we can believe God meets us there when we look for Him.  It sounds simple, and in some ways it is.  It's also an amazingly intricate miracle!

A prayer for today-

Dear God,

Thank you for Your Holy Spirit that is in me.  Thank You for blessing me with a new heart and new life in Christ.

Forgive me for not recognizing all the ways You are at work in me and in others, through me and through others, and around me and around others.

Lord, I pray You will help me to see Christ in every person I meet, and help others see Christ in me.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Peace of Christ,

*This post is part of A Mind-Maker-Upper's Everyday Reading Project.  Click here to read more.