Ezekiel 37-39
God is Faithful
In Ephesians 3:20 The Apostle Paul tells us that God is able to do far more than we can ask or think, and He will do that with the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us. If you have ever doubted this statement I urge you to reread Ezekiel 37-39 again.
In these chapters of Ezekiel we read that although the combined nations of Israel and Judah have been scattered to other nations because of their sin and rebellion God is not through with them. They will fulfill the work God began in them and is going to see it through to completion. Philippians 1:6
God told Ezekiel that one day the people who were once lost and assimilated into other cultures would return to the Promised Land. God would draw His people from the four corners of the earth and the nation of Israel would be reborn. This prophesy was fulfilled in 1948 when the nation of Israel was formed. What was thought to be absolutely impossible was no problem for God.
War was declared on Israel immediately but the nation could not be destroyed. Time and again there have been attempts to destroy Israel with wars and political maneuvers but it is clear that what God has established no one can move no matter how powerful they may be.
There will be one major attempt to destroy Israel spoken of in Ezekiel 38. Ten nations will gather together and invade the land but God will defeat these nations. The overwhelming odds against Israel will bring them to a place where there is nowhere or no one to turn to for help except God.
God is faithful. What He says He will do. He will deliver the nation from this invasion and their faith and trust in God will grow far stronger than ever before.
Trials are meant to be faith builders. Paul understood this well as he was going through trial after trial. He knows that the Church, corporately or individually, will go through trials as well. Paul looked beyond his trial to what God called him to do and what God was doing in the trial to build his faith. When he became a believer he knew it was going to be rough going at times. Acts 9:16
Paul also knew what God had called him to do as we read in Acts 26:14-18
He believed God was accomplishing His purpose through Paul no matter what he was going through.
Israel lost sight of what God had called them to do, but God never lost sight of them. We can be sure that God hasn’t lost sight of His Church either. God has called us to serve. He has gifted each of us with specific spiritual gifts, given and empowered by the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us.
My prayer is that we the Church never lose sight of our Lord and Savior. We are powerless without Him. God is working in His Church no matter what.
For homework today read at least the first three chapters of Ephesians.
God is able and faithful
Pastor Dave