September 2
Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 17–19; Revelation 7
Scripture Focus
“For the king of Israel disregarded his treaty and broke it after swearing to obey; therefore, he will not escape. So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: As surely as I live, I will punish him for breaking my covenant and disregarding the solemn oath he made in my name.”
— Ezekiel 17:18–19 NLT
“And all the trees will know that it is I, the Lord, who cuts the tall tree down and makes the short tree grow tall. It is I who makes the green tree wither and gives the dead tree new life. I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will do what I said!”
— Ezekiel 17:24 NLT
“The person who sins is the one who will die… Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live. Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit… I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn back and live!”
— Ezekiel 18:20, 23, 31–32 NLT
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Reflection
God often used parables and allegories so His people could picture His truth. In Ezekiel 17, the story of the two eagles and the vine revealed the folly of Israel’s choices and reminded them that only God plants, uproots, and gives life. After judgment came hope — the promise of a new Branch, pointing forward to Jesus the Messiah, who would provide shelter for all nations.
But Israel’s king, Zedekiah, broke his oath made in God’s name, showing contempt not only for Babylon but also for the Lord Himself. In those days, oaths were sacred, sealed before God, and breaking them was sin. God made clear that to despise an oath was to despise Him.
The lesson is clear: our word reflects our character. Jesus said, “Let your ‘Yes’ be yes and your ‘No’ be no” (Matthew 5:37). Integrity means living with honesty and wholeness, being the same in private as in public, and keeping our word even when it’s hard. (Think about how hard it must have been for King Zedekiah to keep his oath to the king of Babylon. Yet God had clearly said, “Surrender and you will live.” Instead of trusting God’s word, Zedekiah gave in to frustration and pride, choosing his own way. But God did not take lightly the breaking of an oath made in His name.) It is easy to serve the Lord when we are in a place we want to be, when serving feels joyful and convenient. But integrity means still glorifying Him and serving Him faithfully even in the places we don’t want to be.
Without integrity, we live for self. With integrity, we live faithfully for God — not in our own strength, but in the Spirit’s power. Like Joshua, we too must declare, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15), and then follow through with daily obedience, worship, and surrender.
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Lesson for Me
Have you ever quoted the verse, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”? To live with integrity is to walk in righteousness before God, serving Him when it is inconvenient, costly, or unseen. My word to the Lord must be backed up by actions that please Him, relying on His Spirit to give me strength. My oath is that I said I would serve Him — and integrity means following through in both my home and in His house.
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” — Romans 12:11
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Application Questions
1.How am I serving the Lord today?
2.In what ways am I faithfully serving my family?
3.In what ways am I faithfully serving in the house of God? (“Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing.” – Psalm 100:2)
4.Am I using family responsibilities as an excuse not to serve in God’s house? (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together… but encouraging one another.” – Hebrews 10:24–25)
5.Do I expect to be served, or do I look for ways to serve others in love? (“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them… Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” – 1 Corinthians 12:4,7)
6.Have I broken integrity in the secret places—areas where I think no one else sees, but God always sees? (“Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts.” – Psalm 51:6)
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Prayer 🙏
Sovereign Lord, thank You for calling me to live a life of integrity. Forgive me for the times I have spoken promises to You but failed to follow through. Give me a new heart and a new spirit that delights in serving You in truth. Teach me to let my “yes” be yes and my “no” be no, both in public and in secret. Help me serve You when it is hard, inconvenient, or unnoticed — not in my own strength but by the power of Your Spirit. Thank You, Jesus, for being the faithful Branch who lived in perfect integrity. May my life reflect You today. Amen.
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Takeaway ✨
Integrity means serving the Lord with faithfulness in my home and in His house — not only when it’s easy, but even in the hard places, relying on His Spirit to give me strength.
Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 17–19; Revelation 7
Scripture Focus
“For the king of Israel disregarded his treaty and broke it after swearing to obey; therefore, he will not escape. So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: As surely as I live, I will punish him for breaking my covenant and disregarding the solemn oath he made in my name.”
— Ezekiel 17:18–19 NLT
“And all the trees will know that it is I, the Lord, who cuts the tall tree down and makes the short tree grow tall. It is I who makes the green tree wither and gives the dead tree new life. I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will do what I said!”
— Ezekiel 17:24 NLT
“The person who sins is the one who will die… Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live. Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit… I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn back and live!”
— Ezekiel 18:20, 23, 31–32 NLT
⸻
Reflection
God often used parables and allegories so His people could picture His truth. In Ezekiel 17, the story of the two eagles and the vine revealed the folly of Israel’s choices and reminded them that only God plants, uproots, and gives life. After judgment came hope — the promise of a new Branch, pointing forward to Jesus the Messiah, who would provide shelter for all nations.
But Israel’s king, Zedekiah, broke his oath made in God’s name, showing contempt not only for Babylon but also for the Lord Himself. In those days, oaths were sacred, sealed before God, and breaking them was sin. God made clear that to despise an oath was to despise Him.
The lesson is clear: our word reflects our character. Jesus said, “Let your ‘Yes’ be yes and your ‘No’ be no” (Matthew 5:37). Integrity means living with honesty and wholeness, being the same in private as in public, and keeping our word even when it’s hard. (Think about how hard it must have been for King Zedekiah to keep his oath to the king of Babylon. Yet God had clearly said, “Surrender and you will live.” Instead of trusting God’s word, Zedekiah gave in to frustration and pride, choosing his own way. But God did not take lightly the breaking of an oath made in His name.) It is easy to serve the Lord when we are in a place we want to be, when serving feels joyful and convenient. But integrity means still glorifying Him and serving Him faithfully even in the places we don’t want to be.
Without integrity, we live for self. With integrity, we live faithfully for God — not in our own strength, but in the Spirit’s power. Like Joshua, we too must declare, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15), and then follow through with daily obedience, worship, and surrender.
⸻
Lesson for Me
Have you ever quoted the verse, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”? To live with integrity is to walk in righteousness before God, serving Him when it is inconvenient, costly, or unseen. My word to the Lord must be backed up by actions that please Him, relying on His Spirit to give me strength. My oath is that I said I would serve Him — and integrity means following through in both my home and in His house.
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” — Romans 12:11
⸻
Application Questions
1.How am I serving the Lord today?
2.In what ways am I faithfully serving my family?
3.In what ways am I faithfully serving in the house of God? (“Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing.” – Psalm 100:2)
4.Am I using family responsibilities as an excuse not to serve in God’s house? (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together… but encouraging one another.” – Hebrews 10:24–25)
5.Do I expect to be served, or do I look for ways to serve others in love? (“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them… Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” – 1 Corinthians 12:4,7)
6.Have I broken integrity in the secret places—areas where I think no one else sees, but God always sees? (“Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts.” – Psalm 51:6)
⸻
Prayer 🙏
Sovereign Lord, thank You for calling me to live a life of integrity. Forgive me for the times I have spoken promises to You but failed to follow through. Give me a new heart and a new spirit that delights in serving You in truth. Teach me to let my “yes” be yes and my “no” be no, both in public and in secret. Help me serve You when it is hard, inconvenient, or unnoticed — not in my own strength but by the power of Your Spirit. Thank You, Jesus, for being the faithful Branch who lived in perfect integrity. May my life reflect You today. Amen.
⸻
Takeaway ✨
Integrity means serving the Lord with faithfulness in my home and in His house — not only when it’s easy, but even in the hard places, relying on His Spirit to give me strength.