ESOCS Devotional 12 August 2021
TEXT: EZEKIEL 36:16-32
MEMORY VERSE: “Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own way and by their doings: their way was before me as the uncleanness of a removed woman.” (Ezekiel 36:17).
Many people everywhere today are not different from the Israelites. They choose to learn their lessons the hard way. The Israelites were supposed to walk in the ways of God, and fear and obey Him in all things. But they often turned their back against Him and worshiped other gods. They would repent after God must have punished them with pestilence, famine, or when they were carried away as captives to foreign nations. Would it not have been better if they lived a standard of life that would make God to bless them continually, rather than punish them often?
Today, many people would not align themselves with God’s principles of righteousness and holy living until they suffer affliction; and then, they would begin to seek the face and mercy of God. Does it make sense? Do people gain anything by living a lifestyle that would bring them problems? Why do they not choose to conduct themselves in such a way that would bring them God’s favour and blessings? What is wrong with humanity?
As a people and a nation, we should be mindful of our ways. We cannot attract God’s favour through unbridled disobedience to God’s will and purpose. Unfortunately, our country has never had a leadership that is committed to leading the citizens to embrace the ways and principles of God. Rather, they have always paved the way for wanton ungodliness and all kinds of moral perversions. But what we need, and the thing we should crave for and embrace as a people are godliness, forthrightness, discipline, honesty, a lifestyle of high integrity, and unalloyed love and fear of God.
God loves us as a people. He has too many good things in store for us. As individuals, He seeks to bless us bountifully. However, through our ways of life we tie His hands and prevent Him from blessing us. He has good thoughts concerning us (Jer. 29:11).
- Let your life be God-centred and you would reap bountiful blessings.
- Father, Grant us the grace henceforth to uplift and better our lands.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Deuteronomy 8:11-20; John 19:31-37; Hebrews 6:1-12
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ESOCS Devotional 12 August 2021
