The Weekly Word - A Devotion for the Week of February 6
Everything we have is from God. Every breath, our sustenance – everything is a gift. God is the giver, and we are the receivers. Our responsibility is to be grateful for and trustworthy of those gifts.
In Ezekiel, prophets spoke about how God drew the Israelites back to himself only to watch them go against his Word and return to worshipping idols.
God sent Ezekiel to speak to the people about changing their ways, about examining their attitudes and priorities. Yet, right in the middle of a harsh judgment toward the people, Ezekiel shares this promise that God wants to change their hearts.
Ezekiel 36:26 speaks to something permanent and lasting. God promises to cleanse his people from sin and move them to follow him in ways that could only be accomplished in the life and death of his only Son, Jesus Christ.
When we turn to God and receive forgiveness for our sins, we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Our salvation is a gift. Only God can give us the heart and spirit to know Him and to love Him. God accomplishes this by putting His spirit within us.