Tag: eph2

All of Life for Christ!

Therefore, give the people of Israel this message from the Sovereign LORD: I am bringing you back, but not because you deserve it. I am doing it to protect my holy name, on which you brought shame while you were scattered among the nations. (Ezekiel 36:22, NLT) According to the vision Ezekiel received, God is about to do something for His name’s sake, not for the sake of His people. The House of Israel doesn’t deserve what God is about to do.

By today’s standards, this approach would offend many people. In a day when self-love, self-pity, self-esteem, and ultimately a self-centric view of life are god, this stings. The truth is, life is not about us; it is about God and glorifying God. It is to be God-centric. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19–20, ESV) And he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. (2 Corinthians 5:15, ESV)

What a reminder to keep our eyes off ourselves and keep them on God and others. What a reminder to be careful about our motives: are we doing what we do for ourselves and how others perceive us, or are we caught up in glorifying God with our being? For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10, NKJV)

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Ezekiel 35-37.

Kindness, restoration, and wealth!

In today’s reading, we notice David seeking to show kindness to those related to the previous king. Did not the former king seek to kill David, causing him to go into exile? Yet David seeks to show kindness instead of purging Saul’s family from the face of the earth, as was the custom of kings in that day. Wow! What a glimpse into the heart of God through a man after God’s own heart!

And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake? (2 Samuel 9:1, KJV)

Could Saul’s remaining family have something valuable to offer the king? Could there be some strategic significance that David might be after? Does David need this family for some reason? No. Really? 

And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet. (2 Samuel 9:3, KJV)

Yes, what a head-scratcher! David wants to show kindness to the previous king’s family—who made his life absolutely miserable—even though the remaining family members have nothing to offer in return. He wants to do this for Jonathan’s sake, even though Jonathan is dead! Shocking? It was to Mephibosheth!

And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. (2 Samuel 9:7, KJV)

What a picture of redemption! God, for His Son’s sake, shows us kindness, restoration, and wealth, though we are unworthy and have nothing to offer God. While we were dead in our sins, cut off from God, God chose to show this kindness to us by offering up His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. What did we do to Jesus? We crucified Him! Yet, what does God do if we but repent, putting our faith and trust in Jesus? I think you could say God gives us a spot at His table!

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4–7, ESV)

What was Mephibosheth’s response to David’s kindness? He was humbled, in awe, and grateful. It’s safe to say this man was never the same after this kindness!

And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am? (2 Samuel 9:8, KJV)

Child of God, is it not humbling and awe-inspiring to see God treat us so kindly? Are we not filled with gratitude? Have not our lives been changed? Let us rejoice in God, our Saviour, who abundantly showed us such love, kindness, and mercy!

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from 2 Samuel 8-9; 1 Chronicles 18.

But God!

Deuteronomy! Moses’ recap of everything from Exodus to Numbers. While those books contained much of God talking to Moses, Deuteronomy is Moses talking to Israel’s second generation. This is the generation that will inherit the Promised Land! In many ways, Moses is giving his last sermon, chock-full of goodness and warning! Chapter two, verse seven, stood out to me this morning.

For the Lord your God has blessed you in everything you have done. He has watched your every step through this great wilderness. During these forty years, the Lord your God has been with you, and you have lacked nothing.” ’ (Deuteronomy 2:7, NLT)

This second generation did not get to grow up in the Promised Land because of their parent’s unbelief. Had their parents trusted God, they would have grown up in a conquering and victorious environment. Instead, they grew up wandering, waiting for that generation to pass away in God’s judgment. Talk about a less-than-ideal situation! Moses reminds them that though they suffered because of the sins of others, God blessed them! He watched over their every step! He was with them, and they lacked nothing! Wow! What a God, even though this second generation wasn’t perfect either!

What a truth for us! This whole world is in a sad state of suffering and death because of sin. It began with the sins of others, Adam and Eve. We, too, have sinned and contributed to this “less-than-ideal” situation. The fact is, we all come from “less-than-ideal” situations.

But God!

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4–7, NLT)

Though we all come from the worst possible situation imaginable, which is to be dead in sin, God’s grace raises us to the best possible standing, which is beyond imagination. Believer, rejoice! Your past has no bearing on the impact of God’s grace on your future! By faith, live in victory over sin, the flesh, and this world; God has blessed you! He watches over your steps! He is with you! You lack nothing in Christ!

But God!

Today’s chronological reading: Deuteronomy 1-2

Want to use this in a family or small group setting? Below are some discussion points to get you started. Enjoy!

  1. What is the significance of Deuteronomy being Moses’ last sermon to Israel’s second generation?
  2. How did the sins of the first generation affect the second generation? What lessons can we learn from this?
  3. What does Deuteronomy 2:7 teach us about God’s character and how he watches over us?
  4. How does Ephesians 2:4-7 help us understand God’s grace and impact on our lives?
  5. How can we apply the truths from Deuteronomy and Ephesians to our lives today?