September 3rd
Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 20–21; Psalm 111
Scripture Focus
““But the people of Israel rebelled against me, and they refused to obey my decrees there in the wilderness. They wouldn’t obey my regulations even though obedience would have given them life. They also violated my Sabbath days. So I threatened to pour out my fury on them, and I made plans to utterly consume them in the wilderness. But again I held back in order to protect the honor of my name before the nations who had seen my power in bringing Israel out of Egypt. But I took a solemn oath against them in the wilderness. I swore I would not bring them into the land I had given them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful place on earth. ‘I am the Lord your God,’ I told them. ‘Follow my decrees, pay attention to my regulations, and keep my Sabbath days holy, for they are a sign to remind you that I am the Lord your God.’ “But their children, too, rebelled against me. They refused to keep my decrees and follow my regulations, even though obedience would have given them life. And they also violated my Sabbath days. So again I threatened to pour out my fury on them in the wilderness.”
Ezekiel 20:13-15, 19-21 NLT
“Praise the Lord! I will thank the Lord with all my heart as I meet with his godly people. How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in him should ponder them. Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails. All he does is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy. They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity. Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!”
Psalm 111:1-3, 7-8, 10 NLT
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Reflection
Ezekiel shows us the rebellion of Israel—their refusal to obey God even though His commands would have brought them life. Chapter after chapter seems heavy with God’s anger and warnings. Those warnings were not empty threats—they brought captivity, war, and devastation. Yet behind it all is God’s enduring mercy. For 600 years He sent prophet after prophet, urging His people to repent, return, and live.
Even when Israel rebelled, God held back His full fury for the sake of His name. He remained faithful to His covenant, showing mercy so His glory would not be dishonored before the nations. Where Israel lacked integrity, God’s perfect integrity shines—He always keeps His Word.
The tragedy is that Israel didn’t believe God. They thought they knew better. Their desires for things that pleased the flesh outweighed the call to please God. Pleasing self became more important than honoring Him. And that path only led to ruin.
Psalm 111, by contrast, reflects the heart of a true believer—someone who delights in God’s deeds, trusts His Word, and praises Him with their whole heart. It reminds us that everything God does reveals His glory and majesty, His righteousness never fails, His commands are trustworthy, and true wisdom begins with fearing the Lord.
And right in the middle of this psalm we find the thread from yesterday’s reading: “They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity.”
Israel lacked integrity—their lips spoke of God, but their lives showed rebellion. Yet the psalmist points us back to what life in God really looks like: faithful obedience, lived out with integrity before Him. A believer’s praise is not empty words but a life that matches the confession.
Where Israel’s history shows us what happens when God’s commands are rejected, Psalm 111 shows us the blessing of receiving His commands with joy and living them out faithfully. This is the difference between rebellion and worship: one ends in judgment, the other in wisdom and praise.
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Lesson for Me
Integrity is more than keeping promises to people; it is living faithfully before God. His Word is true, His commands are trustworthy, and my life is meant to reflect that truth. To obey with integrity means to live the same in private as in public, letting my actions match my praise.
⸻
Application Questions
1.Do my daily choices reflect integrity before God, or are there hidden places of rebellion?
2.How can I praise God not only with words but also with actions that line up with His commands?
3.In what ways can I grow in wisdom today by walking in the fear of the Lord?
⸻
Takeaway
God’s commands are forever true—when I live them out with integrity, my life becomes a testimony of His glory, wisdom, and faithfulness.
⸻
Prayer 🙏
Lord, thank You that Your Word is forever true and trustworthy. Forgive me for the times I have praised You with my lips but not with my life. Teach me to obey You faithfully and with integrity—publicly and privately. May my life be a reflection of Your righteousness, and may my integrity bring glory to Your name. Amen.
⸻
Sit Quietly and Journal ✍️
Take a few moments to sit before the Lord in silence. Ask Him to search your heart and reveal any areas where integrity is lacking. Write down what He shows you, and listen for His personal word of encouragement or correction today.
Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 20–21; Psalm 111
Scripture Focus
““But the people of Israel rebelled against me, and they refused to obey my decrees there in the wilderness. They wouldn’t obey my regulations even though obedience would have given them life. They also violated my Sabbath days. So I threatened to pour out my fury on them, and I made plans to utterly consume them in the wilderness. But again I held back in order to protect the honor of my name before the nations who had seen my power in bringing Israel out of Egypt. But I took a solemn oath against them in the wilderness. I swore I would not bring them into the land I had given them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful place on earth. ‘I am the Lord your God,’ I told them. ‘Follow my decrees, pay attention to my regulations, and keep my Sabbath days holy, for they are a sign to remind you that I am the Lord your God.’ “But their children, too, rebelled against me. They refused to keep my decrees and follow my regulations, even though obedience would have given them life. And they also violated my Sabbath days. So again I threatened to pour out my fury on them in the wilderness.”
Ezekiel 20:13-15, 19-21 NLT
“Praise the Lord! I will thank the Lord with all my heart as I meet with his godly people. How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in him should ponder them. Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails. All he does is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy. They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity. Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!”
Psalm 111:1-3, 7-8, 10 NLT
⸻
Reflection
Ezekiel shows us the rebellion of Israel—their refusal to obey God even though His commands would have brought them life. Chapter after chapter seems heavy with God’s anger and warnings. Those warnings were not empty threats—they brought captivity, war, and devastation. Yet behind it all is God’s enduring mercy. For 600 years He sent prophet after prophet, urging His people to repent, return, and live.
Even when Israel rebelled, God held back His full fury for the sake of His name. He remained faithful to His covenant, showing mercy so His glory would not be dishonored before the nations. Where Israel lacked integrity, God’s perfect integrity shines—He always keeps His Word.
The tragedy is that Israel didn’t believe God. They thought they knew better. Their desires for things that pleased the flesh outweighed the call to please God. Pleasing self became more important than honoring Him. And that path only led to ruin.
Psalm 111, by contrast, reflects the heart of a true believer—someone who delights in God’s deeds, trusts His Word, and praises Him with their whole heart. It reminds us that everything God does reveals His glory and majesty, His righteousness never fails, His commands are trustworthy, and true wisdom begins with fearing the Lord.
And right in the middle of this psalm we find the thread from yesterday’s reading: “They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity.”
Israel lacked integrity—their lips spoke of God, but their lives showed rebellion. Yet the psalmist points us back to what life in God really looks like: faithful obedience, lived out with integrity before Him. A believer’s praise is not empty words but a life that matches the confession.
Where Israel’s history shows us what happens when God’s commands are rejected, Psalm 111 shows us the blessing of receiving His commands with joy and living them out faithfully. This is the difference between rebellion and worship: one ends in judgment, the other in wisdom and praise.
⸻
Lesson for Me
Integrity is more than keeping promises to people; it is living faithfully before God. His Word is true, His commands are trustworthy, and my life is meant to reflect that truth. To obey with integrity means to live the same in private as in public, letting my actions match my praise.
⸻
Application Questions
1.Do my daily choices reflect integrity before God, or are there hidden places of rebellion?
2.How can I praise God not only with words but also with actions that line up with His commands?
3.In what ways can I grow in wisdom today by walking in the fear of the Lord?
⸻
Takeaway
God’s commands are forever true—when I live them out with integrity, my life becomes a testimony of His glory, wisdom, and faithfulness.
⸻
Prayer 🙏
Lord, thank You that Your Word is forever true and trustworthy. Forgive me for the times I have praised You with my lips but not with my life. Teach me to obey You faithfully and with integrity—publicly and privately. May my life be a reflection of Your righteousness, and may my integrity bring glory to Your name. Amen.
⸻
Sit Quietly and Journal ✍️
Take a few moments to sit before the Lord in silence. Ask Him to search your heart and reveal any areas where integrity is lacking. Write down what He shows you, and listen for His personal word of encouragement or correction today.