Today’s Reading
Ezekiel 15–16; Psalm 70; Revelation 6
Scripture Focus
“And I will make the land desolate because my people have been unfaithful to me. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”
Ezekiel 15:8 NLT
“But I came by and saw you there, helplessly kicking about in your own blood. As you lay there, I said, ‘Live!’ And I helped you to thrive like a plant in the field. You grew up and became a beautiful jewel. … I made a covenant with you, says the Sovereign Lord, and you became mine. … I dressed you in my splendor and perfected your beauty, says the Sovereign Lord.
But you thought your fame and beauty were your own. So you gave yourself as a prostitute to every man who came along.”
Ezekiel 16:6-16 NLT
“Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you when you were young, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you. … You will remember your sins and cover your mouth in silent shame when I forgive you of all that you have done. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”
Ezekiel 16:60, 62-63 NLT
“But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, ‘God is great!’”
Psalm 70:4 NLT
“She doesn’t realize it was I who gave her everything she has—the grain, the new wine, the olive oil. I even gave her silver and gold, but she gave all my gifts to Baal.”
Hosea 2:8 NLT
Reflection
Ezekiel 16 paints a vivid picture of God’s heart. Israel was like a helpless infant, abandoned and dying, but the Lord came near and said, “Live!” He rescued them out of Egypt, made them His own, clothed them in splendor, blessed them richly, and gave them everything they needed.
Yet, instead of remembering the Giver, they worshiped idols with the very gifts He had poured out. Just as Hosea 2:8 declares, they forgot everything they had came from the Lord. They trusted their beauty, their wealth, their fame, and gave themselves over to idolatry.
Still, God’s mercy shines through. Though judgment was deserved, He promised to remember His everlasting covenant, forgive their sin, and cover their shame.
This same God is our God. He looked at us in our helpless state—dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1)—and said, “Live!” Through Jesus Christ, He covered us with His covenant. When we received Him into our hearts, He clothed us with the robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10), adorned us with His beauty, filled us with His Spirit, and called us His own.
Once hopeless, now we have living hope in Christ. He has given us every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3). We are forgiven, redeemed, chosen, sealed with the Holy Spirit, and promised an eternal inheritance. What Israel squandered, God restores in Christ for all who believe.
Lesson for Me
God’s blessings are never meant to point back to me, but to Him. When I forget that all I have is from His hand, I risk turning His gifts into idols. My beauty, strength, possessions—even my ministry opportunities—are not mine to boast in. They are His, and I am His.
Application Questions
- Do I recognize daily that everything I have comes from the Lord?
- Are there areas in my life where I am tempted to use God’s gifts for my own glory instead of His?
- How can I practice gratitude today for the spiritual riches I have in Christ—redemption, forgiveness, righteousness, and hope?
Promises to Hold Onto ✨
- “Live!” — God gives new life to the helpless (Ezekiel 16:6).
- He remembers His everlasting covenant (Ezekiel 16:60).
- He forgives our sins and covers our shame (Ezekiel 16:63).
- He fills those who seek Him with joy and gladness (Psalm 70:4).
- In Christ, we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3).
Prayer 🙏
Lord, thank You for looking at me in my helpless state and saying, “Live!” Thank You for covering me in Christ with the robe of righteousness, for filling me with Your Spirit, and for giving me every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Forgive me for the times I forget that all I have comes from You. Keep me from using Your gifts for myself, and teach me to live in humility, gratitude, and faithfulness. May my life shout continually, “God is great!” Amen.
Sit Quietly Before the Lord 🕊️
Take a few moments to sit in stillness before the Lord. Ask Him to show you where you may have forgotten that all your blessings come from Him. Journal a personal word He speaks to you today—whether it is a reminder of His love, a call to repentance, or a fresh promise of hope in Christ.