TURN! TURN!
Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 32-33
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
A flock of sheep on a hillside in Israel. After reading of all the violence happening in Israel, Egypt, and elsewhere, it’s good to know that God has promised “green pastures” and His comforting Presence with us. For our encouragement it might be a good suggestion to read, quote or even sing Psalm 23 once again.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Ezekiel 32:11, 33:12
For thus says the Lord God: “The sword of the king of Babylon shall come upon you”…Therefore you, O son of man, say to the children of your people: “The righteousness of the righteous man shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression; as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall because of it in the day that he turns from his wickedness; nor shall the righteous be able to live because of his righteousness in the day that he sins.”
Ezekiel dates his prophecies after the first Jews, including Daniel, were taken to Babylon, in order to show that his prophecies are accurate (i.e. year/month/day — 12/12/1, Ezekiel 32:1; and 12/10/5, Ezekiel 33:21). The final destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and his invasion of Egypt is still three to five years away. When the people see these things come to pass, it stands to reason that the reality of God’s foreknowledge should produce faith and repentance. God expresses His deep grief over what’s about to happen when He tells Ezekiel, “Son of man, wail [a cry of grief] over the multitude of Egypt.” Our key verses point out that neither righteousness nor wickedness can change the course of events. What did change was the long-term behaviour of Israel. The Jews made a 180-degree turn. Never again, after the 70 years of Babylonian captivity, did Israel turn back to worshipping idols and practising gross debauchery, as had been the case before. During this time, Israel paid attention to God’s call for repentance. Ezekiel 33:14b reveals God’s heart when He urgently says, “Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel.” Satan and all those whom he rules have done their best to destroy the Jews. No people on earth have ever been subjected to the hatred of hell like the Jewish people. Israel today, the Jewish state, is thriving beyond any reasonable expectation! Amazing!!!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, as I read Ezekiel I think over and over, “Jesus changed everything for me!” I pray that You’ll keep on changing me, and at every crossroads in my life, help me to turn, turn Your way. I ask You to make Your way my way. I pray this in the Name of the One who said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life,” Jesus, Himself. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
When I read Ezekiel 32:27, “They have laid their swords under their heads,” I thought of one of my partners in ministry for several years, Anglican priest, Rev. Al Reimers. Al is a most gentle person, and I find it hard to conceive of the fact that, as a counter-intelligence agent in the US Army in Germany following the end of WW2, Al slept with a loaded lugar pistol under his pillow. Viewers of 100 Huntley Street will remember Al from the 1970’s and 1980’s. He’s still active! The internet is an amazing way to keep informed about people who may have gone in different directions. Al moved east to Prince Edward county from Toronto, and I moved west to Burlington. I found Al in a “virtual” newspaper article where he was making a presentation to the Minister of Health on “wait times” for hospital care. Way to go my friend! You are still “salt.” Jesus taught us that if we are not salty in society, the good will be discarded.
Yours for the implementation in our lives of what we’re learning daily through 100words.ca,
David
P.S. Here’s the song I was inspired to sing while thinking about Reynold’s picture above and about our Scripture reading (click here for “The Lord is My Shepherd” hymn and sing along with the congregation of the Verdun LaSalle Baptist Church, Montreal).
Thank You, Father, for being the One constant in life – You are always good. Have Your way in all this world. Help all those hurt by unjust leaders. Help us all to do what is good, kind, and loving today, Father – be glorified in us, in Jesus’s name, amen
Praying along with David this morning…” Lord may your way be my way”
As we read through the book of Ezekiel, I think to myself is our world any different today?
Oh Lord may we turn, turn to You, as Rob said in his prayer this morning…You are the One constant in life.
Amen to your prayers Anne and Rob,
in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
“Dear Jesus, I give myself fully to Your work knowing that’s what really matters in the end. I look forward to the new body You will give me, and I ask that You would use the one You have given me today for Your glory. I believe I’ve been crucified with You and that You now live in me. Live through me today, moment by moment. Amen.”
In Him,
Pete Briscoe
God bless all saints.
Wonderful quote.
Beautiful Song:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=diQPE7lYNsQ
So great to be able to sing 🎶 of God’s comfort and help for such a time as this. He is our Rock. Praying for the suffering of people around the world. Unbelievable atrocities (bombing of the maternity hospital in Ukraine). Praying for Israel as they receive many of the Jewish people from the disaster areas. Blessings all today.
In June I will complete my first time following David’s 100 Word Bible Study. I am already looking forward to starting again. Last night I read the comments and really liked William’s sharing about following along each year from the beginning. I do enjoy reading all the comments, poems, prayers and songs. They encourage me very much.
Praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world that they will be strengthened mightily by Your Spirit to be a light in the darkness. Praying for comfort for those in great distress. Thy will be done we pray Lord, in Jesus Name.
Love the picture of the sheep. A friend sent me this beautiful inspirational video:
https://youtu.be/isQWXmbwURw
For the 10th day from the “Prayer Map of Canada”
1. Pray for Canadians from coast to coast, that the reality of Jesus’ sacrifice and love will touch them personally. (John 3:16)
2. Pray for students, that the Lord will grant them protection of body, soul, mind and spirit and fill them with godly desires and true hope.
On the first day, Jonah started into the city. He proclaimed: Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned. The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.
When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh:
“By the decree of the king and his nobles:
Do not let any man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.” Jonah 3: 4-9
Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh and proclaim God’s Word of judgement but when he did go the people listened and repented. Lord I pray that we will hear your Word from the greatest to the least, from our prime minister to every citizen in Canada. Let us call urgently to God, fasting and in true repentance for the many sins our nation. We come to you in reverence and awe as you are the only true God.