GOD’S COVENANT – ATONEMENT
Suggested Reading: Ezekiel 16-17
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
About 20 kilometres north of Laodicea is the famous hot springs of Turkey. It is known as Pamukkale or ancient Hierapolis. The water terraces overflow with mineral rich blue water. Philip, the Apostle of Jesus Christ, who brought the message of the Great Creator's covenant and atonement to this area, would have enjoyed the same view and perhaps bathed in the springs.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Ezekiel 16:62-63
“And I will establish My covenant with you. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, that you may remember and be ashamed, and never open your mouth anymore because of your shame, when I provide you an atonement for all you have done,” says the Lord God.
Ezekiel, true to his calling as a prophet, is representing God to humanity, and in particular to God’s people, Israel. Imagine the capacity of God to feel abandoned, betrayed, unloved, and unwanted. We have feelings which can be hurt, but do we consider God’s feelings? God considers all who believe in Him to be His Bride (read Revelation 19:7-9). Ezekiel tries to shame God’s people into repentance by comparing them to a prostitute and an adulterous wife who breaks wedlock. He even says that Jerusalem is worse than Sodom, a city which God destroyed because of its evil. But God, true and faithful to His side of the covenant, renews His marriage covenant by Himself. He provides a way to erase the past through the atonement provided by the shedding of blood (Leviticus 17:11 and Hebrews 13:20-21). God promised an everlasting covenant. He has done His part, now we must receive it, sign it, believe it and keep it as true believers.
Chapter 17 begins by God asking Ezekiel to pose a riddle. The dictionary says that a riddle is “a question or statement intentionally phrased so as to require ingenuity in ascertaining its answer or meaning.” Why would God use this tactic? It seems that God will try every possible means to help us think deeply. Someone has said, “When a person begins to think, God has the advantage.”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Thank You, Lord God, that You did not put the Covenant and the Atonement into a riddle. You made it so very plain so that a person can understand that You are committed to the most solemn and binding agreement into which any two parties can enter. You have kept Your part in this act of total commitment to us. I pray for daily grace to keep my part. In legal language, You are the “Party of the first part,” and I’m the “party of the second part.” Thank You that I don’t need a law degree to understand that! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Our first Crossroads Treasurer was the late George Inkster. I was Pastor to the Inkster family in Sudbury, Ontario, for five years. At least twice Norma-Jean, our children and I were Sunday dinner guests at the Inkster home. Both times George had a riddle for us to think about and talk about during the meal. One of the Inkster children told me that Dad did this regularly. I would say that all the Inkster children turned out to be deep thinkers about all the matters of life. George could also throw out amazing mathematical challenges. He had the answers to complicated problems clearly figured out in advance.
I mentioned above that God has the advantage when we begin to think. Shauna Simmons Jenkins hosted an amazing children’s TV show for our network, CTS, called, TQ. Later she launched a video series for teens called, Make You Think! I recommend this for the very reason stated in the name of the series. During my “Thank You Canada” tour to 180 cities during 2010 to 2012, I sold this series to a number of churches for their youth group discussions. I highly recommend these well-done quality DVD’s. For information on purchasing this excellent production go to makeyouthink.com.
Yours for learning how to think with greater depth than ever,
David
The "Make You Think" motor home was my home on wheels for the Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Northern Ontario "Thank You Canada" tour in the late winter and Spring of 2011. Don Simmons, Shauna's Dad and currently the Chairman of the Crossroads Board of Directors, made a gift of its' use for our accommodations and travel.
A very powerful, and I’m sure effective, demo video on the makeyouthink site! This would certainly be useful and open up dialogue amongst youth! Engaging reading today about God’s “feelings.” Christ certainly felt and expressed a wide range of emotions as fully human and fully God. Much about how we think governs how we feel. The riddle our Lord God presents does cause one to think and align our thoughts and emotions. God Is Love. May your day be filled with healthy thoughts and emotions, in Jesus’ name!
Amen, David. In total agreement with your post. Have a blessed day!
God’s disappointment in His own people is so apparent as He has Ezekial convey to them. Not much different than us trying to teach our children right from wrong. We love them so much also and don’t want to see them get hurt in life.
I pray Son of God is a resounding success!
I also pray for a free, democratic, uncorrupt and Christian Ukraine in Jesus name.
Blessings to all saints.
Made sure my daughter knows about “make you think”. She has 4 teens!
Today’s message was so concrete. Thank you David Mainse, for such an excellent explanation, with scripture, and links that added such clarity. No words can describe the beauty of the photo of the hot springs in Turkey–such a gift of God’s creation! Such an amazing painting to be made. Chris Tomlin’s song is playing in my mind… indescribable, uncontainable, You placed the stars in the sky, and You know them by name. You are amazing God!
I can see it so clearly, now–visibly, through the eyes of scripture; and feel a great depth of clarity and understanding–within my mind, body, heart, and soul. Even though it has taken me years to get here, I realize with complete certainty that reaching this point has been all in God’s timing. “So I will establish my covenant with you, and you will know that I am the Lord. Then, when I make atonement for you for all you have done, you will remember and be ashamed and never again open your mouth because of your humiliation, declares the Sovereign Lord.'” Lev 6:62-63
OH, THANK YOU, HEAVENLY GOD, OUR FATHER! I cannot shout loud enough with thanks for Your ultimate blessings and continuous love for us, Your sheep. For the selfless gift of Jesus, Your Son, and our Saviour–the great Shepherd tending Your flock. For we know the life of the flesh is in the blood, and You have given it to us, through Jesus’ sacrifice upon the cross. And by His wounds, we are cleansed and our souls are atoned through the blood of the everlasting covenant. Your will and light, shine brightly within and through us, Your children, to everyone we meet, as we proclaim Your glory! For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and we are Your bride, as righteous saints! Blessed, indeed, are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb! Amen, amen, and amen!
God bless you, fellow saints!
AMEN, AMEN & AMEN!!!!
Right on, Beverlee! Amen!
Beautiful Beverlee….such a blessing….thank you.
Good mid-morning, fellow believers! Thank you so much for your past prayers regarding my teen-age grandson’s guardianship. God has granted me a wonderful peace about this situation. Praise His Holy Name!
There has now been a meeting set up with all the people involved such as the mental health specialists, the group home counsellors, child protection agency, school authorities, as well as my grandson’s mother(with whom he was living until last September), father(who is my son) and myself. They are calling this a Family Council meeting. The purpose is to discuss whether my grandson should be placed in a group home or with his father who wants his son with him. There are learning disabilities involved. This meeting is scheduled for Monday March 10/14, although, past meetings have ben re-scheduled.
May I ask for prayer that God’s Will be done in this situation, please… If he does need to go to a group home, please help me in praying that it will be a positive place that doesn’t encourage behaviour that is contrary to God’s Word and that myself and his father still have access to him as well. Thank you again for your prayers. I appreciate your prayerful intervention.
Your deep concern for your teen-age grandson is clearly burdensome. I add my prayer for his placement in a loving environment, that offers boundaries and support during this difficult time in his and his family lives. May your grandson learn that love is real, people do care and relationships can be filled with joy and stability. Amen!
Whether his placement be within his family home or otherwise, we pray.
Praying for God’s Will to be done in the life of your dear grandson, Alexandra. May His loving arms surround him; His mercy and grace flood him; His blood cover heal and settle him. May he be filled with the power of peace and light of Jesus; and may he be surrounded by angels who continually protect him and keep him and others from harm. Praying for you, Alexandra, your son, and your grandson’s mother. May you all find comfort and give up your worries for God to carry on your behalf. Trust in Him that your grandson will be well taken care of, according to His Will, and it will be so. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray. Amen, amen, and amen.
Thank you for being so true to our Lord in heaven !!!!! Halehluya Amen
Adding my Amen for all the prayers for your grandson, Alexandra. Oh, the love of God, how rich and pure, how measureless and strong shown in these chapters for His children! God bless all of you today!
Alexandra I will pray for you and everyone involved. I know what it is like
several years ago I was in one with the Canadian Mental Health clubhouse
they helped me alot, and for me they have seen many positive change because
of all involved and I am grateful
Alexandra I join with the others in praying for your grandson. We have seen some of the Lord’s miracles right here on our blog and so we know He knows exactly what your grandson needs, may you feel His comfort and peace around all of you. Blessings.
Thank you Pastor David for the clarity with which you share Th Word with us each day.
God bless your grandson Alexandra. Lord give him the mind of Christ. We are all made in the image of God and He has a perfect plan for each of us. Lord interveen in that dear boys life I pray. Ceround the whole family with your perfict love Lord, and bless them beound measure.