Day 22 Reviewed

  **A quick disclaimer about this blog...
     If you happen to stumble across this blog at this point in time, there are a few things I want you to know. Right now, I'm reviewing my 30 days of reading. Most posts are jumbled to say the least. They are mostly quick thoughts, unedited, of what stood out to me in each day's passage. Also, keep in mind, my thoughts usually have something to do with being "at ease," or being "at peace," because that's the theme I looked for specifically as I read this time! **

Ezekiel 21 - Daniel 3

     "O Tyre, you have said, 'I am perfect in beauty,'" (Ezekiel 27:3). A city (not unlike a man), can become complacent with his high and secure status. But inevitably, their demise, "Now that you are broken by the seas In the depths of the waters, you have become terrified, and you will be no more," (27:34, 36).
    
     Ezekiel too continues to speak those same, assuring words over Israel from the Lord, "When I gather the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and shall manifest My holiness in them in the sight of the nations, then they will live in their land which I gave to My servant Jacob. And they will live in it securely; and they will build houses, plant vineyards, and live securely, when I execute judgments upon all who scorn them round about them," (Ezekiel 28:25)...
     .....OH Father, Father, Father! All for your ONE GREAT PURPOSE..."Then they will know that I am the Lord their God," (28:26).
     "As for you, My sheep, the sheep of My pasture, you are men, and I am your God," declares the Lord, (34:31).

• The Holy Name

     God's name is Holy. I don't know very much about His name yet, but I intend to learn more! What I know thus far, is, His name is a BIG deal. His name is Holy, His name is peace, His name is healing for the nations. His name is protection, His name is provision. So it makes sense when He must tell the people, Israel...

"But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations where they went...It is not for YOUR SAKE, O House of Israel, that I am about to act, but for MY HOLY NAME, which you have profaned among the nations where you went. And I WILL VINDICATE THE HOLINESS OF MY GREAT NAME...(so)...I will SPRINKLE CLEAN WATER ON YOU, and you will be clean; I will CLEANSE YOU FROM ALL YOUR FILTHINESS...I will give you a NEW HEART and put a NEW SPIRIT within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances," (Ezekiel 36:21-27, emp mine)...

     ...And I will BLESS you on and on and on and on...but not for your sake, but because GOD is GOOD. That is such a lame way of putting it. Ha! I wish I could express more! :) I can only feel it well up inside of me!

• Daniel

     Just barely getting into him today. We'll start with this. Daniel - another neat guy acknowledging God's power. About dream interpretation he states, there is no man who can (though he himself can), "however, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the latter days," (Daniel 2:28).

Day 21 Reviewed

  **A quick disclaimer about this blog...
     If you happen to stumble across this blog at this point in time, there are a few things I want you to know. Right now, I'm reviewing my 30 days of reading. Most posts are jumbled to say the least. They are mostly quick thoughts, unedited, of what stood out to me in each day's passage. Also, keep in mind, my thoughts usually have something to do with being "at ease," or being "at peace," because that's the theme I looked for specifically as I read this time! **

Jeremiah 45 - Ezekiel 20

• Moab

     "Moab has been at ease since his youth; He has also been undisturbed on his lees, Neither has he been emptied from vessel to vessel, nor has he gone into exile. Therefore he retains his flavor, and his aroma has not changed," (Jeremiah 45:11)...sounds good so far?
     "'Therefore behold, the days are coming,' declares the Lord, 'when I shall send to him those who tip vessels, and they will tip him over, and they will empty his vessels and shatter his jars. And Moab will be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel, their confidence,'" (45:12-13) hmmm...?

     Let's talk about complete peace and ease. Total resoration:
     "'In those days and at that time,' declares the Lord, 'search will be made for the iniquity of Israel, but there will be none; and for the sins of Judah, but they will not be found; for I shall pardon those whom I leave as a remnant,'" (Jeremiah 50:20).  NONE shall be FOUND.

     Did find anything in the Lamentations. 

• Ezekiel

     "And I shall give them one heart, and shall put a new spirit within them. And I shall take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh," (Ezekiel 11:19). And of course...He will be their God, and they will be His people! Love this verse! I've experienced this verse! Praise God, He has removed my heart of stone and given me a heart of flesh!!

     An interesting, brief, summation of the history of His people Israel...Sad, and poignant too...

"As for your birth, on the day you were born your navel cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water for cleansing, you were not rubbed with salt or even wrapped in cloths...No eye looked with pity on you...When I passed by you and saw you squirming in your blood, I said to you while you were in your blood, 'Live!'...I made you numerous like plants of the field...I bathed you...I clothed you...I adorned you...Then your fame went forth among the nations...you trusted in your beauty and played the harlot...you sacrificed (sons and daughters) to idols...you slaughtered my children...now, I have stretched out my hand against you to diminish your rations and I delivered you up to the desire of those who hate you, the daughters of the Philistines," (Ezekiel 16).

      God said He must now gather, judge...and at the end of the WHOLE deal, says He will yet establish His covenant with them! This makes me want to cry!...And says things like, "On the high mountain of Israel I shall plant it, that it may bring forth boughs and bear fruit, and become a stately cedar. And birds of every kind will nest under it; they will nest in the shade of its branches," (17:23). Might I be one of those birds?

     A reassuring thought - "Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked," declares the Lord God, "rather than that he should turn from his ways and live?" (18:23). Yes, Lord! "For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies," declares the Lord God. "Therefore, repent and live," (18:32).