It’s never too late for revival.

No matter how dry your spiritual life, No matter how long you’ve languished in the wilderness, God can breathe new life into you. He illustrates this fact with the prophesied national re-gathering and revival of Israel (Ezk 37:1-14). He can make the dry bones live. He can pull things together and breathe His Spirit into a body (individual or corporate). He can cause us to stand and bring him glory. Lord, breathe life into me. Father, raise up your church. God, re-gather and revive your people, Israel, and bring glory to your holy name, Jesus. Amen.

The burden of leadership

God was angry at the leaders of Israel. Like foolish shepherds they had exploited and abandoned the sheep. The Lord judged them for their poor leadership (Ezk 34:1-10). Indeed the burden of leadership is heavy. The leader is held to a higher standard while he attempts to lead people who are often obstinate, if not hostile. The power of leadership normally corrupts the leader and he takes advantage of his position while neglecting his duty to care for the people. Good shepherds are few and far between. Let not many of you become teachers because you will incur a stricter judgment (Jam 3:1).

Preaching for the Lord’s sake

The people asked Jeremiah for the Lord’s guidance but they had no intent to obey. They had already determined to go to Egypt (Jer 42:5ff). Likewise, the people loved to hear Ezekiel preach because he was entertaining to them. They were insincere in their search for the Lord (Ezk 33:31ff). How did the prophets react? They kept on preaching. They were faithful to what God had called them to do regardless of the people’s response. They followed the Lord despite personal hardship. One was exiled in Egypt, the other in Babylon, but the prophets continued to preach.

Sinners helping sinners

Beware rejoicing over someone else’s calamity, even your enemies’ misfortune. Edom rejoiced when Israel was sacked. They aided the Babylonians and mistreated those who managed to escape. In their false sense of security, they gloated in their relative power. (Ob 1:12-14) God held them accountable for their treatment of His people. The Jews were not innocent, but the Edomites were hardly in a position to judge. There is none good, no not one (Rom 3:12). Since nobody is without sin we should love our enemies and pray for them (Mat 5:44). Rather than exploit them, we should offer a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name (Mat 10:42).

Hope in despair

In the midst of the worst possible circumstances, Jeremiah finds the only hope. Though the children of Jerusalem were starving to death and mothers were eating their young in desperation, Jeremiah finds hope. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness, O God.” (Lam 3:22-23) How bad are your circumstances? Do they even begin to compare with the siege of Jerusalem? Can you say with Jeremiah, “The Lord is my inheritance, therefore I will hope in him.” (Lam 3:24)

Ministry in the latter days

Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian rescued Jeremiah from the cistern where he was left to die (Jer 38:7-10). When Jerusalem was destroyed the Lord rescued Ebed-Melech (Jer 39:17-18). This seems to be a type of how God will deal with those who trust in him in the latter days. They will demonstrate their trust by ministering to others (Mat 24:44ff, 25:34ff). No matter how bad things get, we must always maintain a ministry mindset. We must share our last cup of water. When you value your own survival over others, you manifest misplaced faith in yourself. When you give, even when it hurts or costs your life, you demonstrate faith in the God who saves (Rev 2:10). Jesus warns, “Most people’s love will grow cold…but he who endures to the end will be saved.” (Mat 24:12-13)

My spirit’s birthday

The Lord will reveal his holiness to the nations through his people (Ezk 28:25). Israel will be restored and God will be glorified in the world. The day is coming. Do you believe it? Do you live like you believe it? “Who then is that faithful servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes?” (Luk 12:42-43) Thirty-two years ago today I surrendered to Jesus. Lord, may I be found in your service when you come. May I be among those through whom you reveal your holiness.

Once His people…

Jeremiah recorded that some said, “The Lord chose Israel and then abandoned them.” They sneered and said that Israel is not worthy to be called a nation (Jer 33:23-24). It was Israel’s pagan neighbors who derided her at that time, but sad to say, today it is her sister, the church. The church has historically been anti-Semitic. There are those in the church today who teach that Israel has been abandoned. The Lord said, “I will never abandon Jacob’s descendants or change the plan that David’s descendants will rule the descendants of Abraham… Instead, I will restore them to their land and have mercy on them.” (Jer 33:26) Don’t count Israel out. The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable (Rom 11:29).

Your life is a message

God allowed Ezekiel’s wife to die suddenly as a symbol of the defilement of Jerusalem (Ezk 24:16, 21). He had forbidden Jeremiah to marry in order to illustrate how hard times would get. He instructed Hosea to marry a harlot to demonstrate his people’s unfaithfulness. The prophet’s personal lives were object lessons for the people. This seems very harsh way to treat the servants of God, but they yielded and their lives communicated. It shows how strongly God wants to speak to his people. I hope the prophet’s suffering is not in vain. What does your life communicate? Hear the word of the Lord through the prophets.

“I will guard everything within the limits of my post…”

The Lord looks for those who will rebuild the walls of righteousness and stand in the gaps to prevent his wrath from coming on the people (Ezk 22:30). He did not find one in Ezekiel’s day. These people are rare who will live counter culturally. These people become brighter as their surroundings darken. These people resist peer pressure and stand for what is right when the whole world has gone wrong. They do so, not in self-righteousness, but in love for their fellow citizens. Like Moses, they intercede for a sinful people and continue to lead them to obey. Are you a rebuilder or part of the deterioration? Do you stand in the gap or are you oblivious to the threat of God’s impending judgment? Be a watchman on the wall (Ezk 3:17).

Life in the Lord

We often feel deprived in our decision to follow the Lord. We think that the Lord is keeping us from some of the joys and pleasures the world has to offer. The truth is, what the world has to offer leads to emptiness and death. God wants us to follow his ways because they lead to life (Ezk 20:11, 21). The negative effects of our idols (sex, drunkenness, gluttony, mammon, luxury, and pride) can be seen throughout our culture (disease, addiction, obesity, debt, apathy, and obstinacy). The Lord desires for us to have health, freedom, blessing, purpose, humility, and holiness…in short, life. Jesus came that we might have life, and have it abundantly! (Joh 10:10).

Repent and live

With all of the talk of judgment in the prophets, it’s easy to forget that God is a reluctant judge. He would much rather that his people turned from their sin and lived (Ezk 18:31-32). He always stands ready to forgive and start over. He does not desire that any should perish, but that all might repent (2Pe 3:9). He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezk 18:23). The plan is simple; repent and live. Can you swallow your pride, acknowledge your guilt, and try to do what is right? “No matter how stained your past is, your future is spotless.” (-unknown)

Preservatives

Judah’s sin was so bad that the Lord said even Noah, Daniel and Job could save only themselves in such a climate (Ezk 14:14). The implication is that they would preserve a people with less sin. Just as Lot was preserving Sodom and had to be removed before judgment, so these men might have preserved a less sinful Judah. If Sodom had ten righteous men, it would have been spared (Gen 18:32). Jesus said that we are salt and light to our culture (Mat 5:13). Our righteousness provides protection for those around us (1Co 7:14). How salty are you?

Heart trouble

The people of Judah’s hearts had so atrophied that the glory of the Lord departed from the temple in Jerusalem (Ezk 11:23). It is a terrifying thing to sense the Lord’s absence. To the exiles God said, “I will be your sanctuary in exile.” (Ezk 11:16) Though they were far from Jerusalem’s temple, God brought the sanctuary of His presence to them. What’s more, he promised them a new heart. He said that he would change their hardened hearts and renew their spirits (Ezk 11:19). Regenerating the heart is solely the Lord’s work. We cannot change our hearts any more than we could lift ourselves up by our own pant loops. We must have the work of an external force to lift us. Lord, change my heart yet again. Take not Thy Holy Spirit from me and renew in me a steadfast spirit (Psa 51:10-13).

Heart check

Judgment was impending. The Glory of the Lord was preparing to depart. It was a sad day for idolatrous Judah (Ezk 9:3). Before sending disease and sword and famine the Lord marked those whose hearts were truly his. They were marked for preservation (Ezk 9:4-6). If the angels were moving through your city today, preparing for destruction, would you be marked for preservation? The eyes of the Lord search to and fro throughout the earth that he may strongly support those whose heart is truly his (2Ch 16:9).

The responsibility of a watchman

The Lord made Ezekiel a watchman and held him responsible to deliver the messages God gave him (Ezk 3:16-18). Ezekiel was not responsible for the eternal destiny of others. He was not responsible for their sin either. He was responsible to deliver the message. His failure to do so would be sin to him. God does not place the destiny of souls in human hands. No one comes to the Savior unless the Father draws them (Joh 6:44). Why share the gospel then? First, because it is a privilege to be involved in the harvest, the Lord’s work (Joh 6:27) and because he commanded us to “go and make disciples” (Mat 28:18-20).

Listen or not, here I come

God commissioned Ezekiel to what seemed to be a futile ministry. He told Ezekiel to preach to Israel whether they listened or not (Ezk 1:5,7,11). He also told him that they would not listen (Ezk 1:7). He gave him a negative message, “dirges, sorrow and doom.” He told them that they would not respond, but when the words were fulfilled they would know there was a prophet among them (Ezk 1:5). The “good news” has an edge to it. Jesus said He came to bring a sword (Mat 10:34). Because people have tendency toward sin, the message will almost always be corrective. People want a positive message. They want their “ears tickled” (2Ti 4:3). But the preacher answers to God, not the people. His responsibility is to declare the “whole counsel of God” (Act 20:27).

The basis of meaning and purpose

The Lord created the earth with his power and sustains it with his wisdom (Jer 51:15). This is a basic truth. Departure from this truth wreaks havoc in the lives of men. If the Lord is not the Creator/Sustainer then we are a product of chance destined to pass into oblivion. We have no meaning or purpose. Our only drive is the instinct for biological survival. If survival is the “prime directive” then morality is moot. There is no point in serving your fellow man or even acting in a civil manner if the rule is “survival of the fittest.” But if God is our Creator/Sustainer, then we are accountable to him. What matters is how we use our lives to love his creatures and bring him glory. That is a much more worthy goal then survival.

Choose this day whom you will serve

There are two systems in the world. One originates and is represented by Babylon, the other in Jerusalem. Babylon is destined to fall (Jer 50:46), while Jerusalem is destined to be vindicated (Jer 51:10). The world is drunk and insane because of the “wine of Babylon.” (Jer 51:7) We must choose which system to follow. God commands us to “flee from Babylon.” (Jer 51:6) Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? (Jam 4:4) Do not love the world, nor the things of the world (1Jo 2:15). As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Josh 24:15).

False lovers

Jeremiah warned Judah, “All your lovers have left you and they don’t care about you anymore.” (Jer 30:14) He is referring to fickle allies, false gods, and flagrant sin. Judah had abandoned her God and prostituted herself to lesser lovers. They all proved unreliable. She went to them for help, strength, comfort and satisfaction. At first, the relationships seemed promising; providing what she wanted, but in the end her lovers abandoned her. We often turn to worldly lovers, sex, alcohol, food, stuff, status to provide what only our heavenly lover can provide. There comfort is temporary, while the Lord’s is lasting. Our Celestial Husband will not disappoint us (Rom 10:11).

Careless Clergy

Ministers are certainly not immune to sin. We tend to think of clergymen as holy, but they are just men like the rest of us. They are subject to all the folly and temptation that the rest of us deal with. The shepherds of Israel had abandoned their callings. They were living in sin and exploiting the flock (Jer 23:1-2, 11). God held them accountable. In fact, leaders incur a stricter judgment (Jam 3:1). There is no shortage of evil shepherds and false prophets today. Turn on your TV and you will see ridiculous scammers blatantly taking advantage of sin ravaged people. Shepherds, be warned. Sheep, beware.

Pliable

The Lord has the potter’s prerogative. If we are not turning out as he intended, he reserves the right to crush us and start again (Jer 18:3). Our response is to remain pliable, yielded to the potter’s hand. Then we can be re-used, fashioned again for service in the kingdom. If we harden our hearts and our lives become brittle we will be shattered. It is better to fall upon the rock than to have the rock fall on you (Mat 21:44). Starting over takes faith. We must be willing to abandon those things and ways that have gained our trust and rely completely on the Lord. Are you willing to start over? We hold this treasure in earthen vessels (2Co 4:7).

Stay in the fight

Jeremiah was weary and frustrated (Jer 12:5). The Lord’s help seemed to be unreliable (Jer 15:18). In spite of how Jeremiah was feeling, the Lord did not excuse him from his calling. He told him to endure. God promised to take care of Jeremiah. He commanded Jeremiah to return to him for restoration that would enable continue service (Jer 15:19). Resting is not quitting. Returning to the Lord is refitting for renewed battle. We are not home yet; the battle is not yet won. I think that as long as we draw breath the Lord expects us to stay in the fight. Quitting is not an option (Heb 12:1-3).

Trial and error

If you fall down, get up. If you discover you’re on the wrong road, turn back. Let go of the lies that bind you and embrace the truth. (Jer 8:4-5) Repentance and course correction are a part of life. No one steers a perfect path. We are not able to plan our own way. Respond to the gentle correction of the Lord (Jer 10:23-24). Life is not a competition with others. It is a quest to fulfill God’s purpose for you. Discover that purpose and go after it (Phil 3:12).

The power of dreams

God speaks in dreams. We would do well to pay attention to our dreams. The Scriptures are full on dreams and interpretations. Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that greatly troubled him (Dan 2:3). God is the revealer of mysteries (Dan 2:22) and he wants us to know what is in our hearts (Dan 2:30). When you have a dream, give it some thought. What is God revealing to you? What is he telling you about yourself? This revelation must be carefully weighed as we seek to know the Lord and his will for our lives. It is one of the way the Spirit speaks to us (Joel 2:28).

The darker the night, the brighter the light

The darker our culture becomes, the more the word of God will seem like a joke to them. Those who believe the Bible will be ridiculed as backward and ignorant (Jer 20:8). As this happens, it is tempting to hide; to say nothing about God’s word or what He has done in our lives. Like Jeremiah, we will find that it is impossible to hold it in (Jer 20:9). As the Scriptures prove to be true, we’ll be compelled by the love of Christ to speak the truth. Sometimes taking a stand is lonely, but remember the mighty Warrior is at your side (Jer 20:11, Mat 28:18-20).

The road to success

Twenty one years ago today my first daughter was born and I was called into the ministry. Today she graduates from basic training in the U.S. Army. Jeremiah told Baruch, his scribe, “Are you seeking great things for yourself? Don’t do it!” (Jer 45:5) This is good advice for me and for my daughter. The ministry and the Army both have roads to status and prestige. There are many opportunities to compromise your integrity along the way. “Great things” are not worth the best thing; an honest daily walk with the Lord. If he wants you in high places, He can put you there without compromise. The ministry and the Army are really about service. In the kingdom, the way up is down. (Psa 75:6-7, Mar 10:45)

Marks of a leader

“A beautiful palace does not a king make.” (Jer 22:15) The trappings and privileges of leadership do not make a leader. A leader is one who does what is right, cares for the oppressed and demonstrates his walk with the Lord by the way he treats people. (Jer 22:15-16). Leadership is not about rank and privilege. It is about service. What is your goal? What is your motivation? Are you in it for yourself? Do you realize that God gives you power and influence to help others? Have you come to your royal position “for such a time as this?” (Est 4:14).

Universal worship

One day the whole earth will worship the Lord. We will worship in our own lands (Zeph 2:11). We will also go to New Jerusalem to celebrate the feasts (Zech 14:16). We will all worship in one “pure speech,” perhaps Hebrew (Zeph 3:9). After the Lord allows us time to receive His grace in Jesus, he will judge the earth and the remnant will all know God (Hab 2:14) and worship him together (Phil 2:10-11).

When all else fails

It is very easy to begin believing in our own strength and wealth. Most of us can’t handle too much success. We quickly begin to trust in ourselves rather than God. Though we may not commit blatant idolatry, we worship ourselves and forget God (Hab 1:11, 2:9, 13). It doesn’t take much to dissolve this illusion. Strength fails and wealth disappears. Then we must acknowledge our dependence on God. Though all material things fail, yet I will rejoice in the Lord (Hab 3:17-18). Why not learn this lesson now? Trust in the Lord now before your strength and wealth betray you.

The only reliable refuge

Trouble comes to every life. There is no avoiding it. The only question is, “How will you react?” You can blame God and run from him or you can seek refuge in him. It is true that he causes some trouble as discipline or punishment for sin. It is also true that nothing happens without his permission. But neither of these facts make him responsible for evil. In fact, he is the only reliable refuge from the trouble that we ourselves cause. The Lord is good. A strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him (Nah 1:7).