Reading in Ezekiel 36 and 37 this morning. And a whole lotta orange colored-pencil going down on the page. Because a whole lotta promises being made by the Holy One of Israel for the sake of His holy name.
Though His people had suffered the reproach of the nations around them, God promises they will be rescued from exile. Not only rescued but relocated and returned to the land of promise. And the land will not only receive them, but it will be replenished about them, becoming again like the garden of Eden. Not only will they be a rescued and returned people to a restored and replenished land, but they will also be a revived people. Not just mildly revved up, but miraculously raised up, as in resurrected. Revived as in dead, dry, scattered bones regathered, reconnected, and re-lifed through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit.
“And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live.”
(Ezekiel 37:14a ESV)
Like I said, a whole lotta promising going on. Incredible promises. Almost unbelievable promises. Promises not because of Israel’s past performance, but in spite of it. Promises not dependent on Israel’s future performance, but assured on the basis of who God has always been and on what He has always purposed.
“Then you shall know that I am the LORD.”
(Ezekiel 37:14b ESV)
And here’s the twice repeated phrase in this morning’s reading that makes the promises unimpeachable.
“I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it.”
(Ezekiel 37:14c ESV)
I will do it . . . Chew on that for a bit.
Pick a promise of God, any promise of God . . . and know, child of God, He will do it!
The promise you need answered . . . the promise that is yet to be realized . . . that’s the promise that the LORD says afresh this morning, “I am the LORD. I have spoken. I will do it!”
And when we hear the Father whisper again those words through His Spirit, knowing they are already fulfilled in His Son, every promise again becomes the promise which “gives strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.”
For great is Your name, O LORD!
Great is Your power!
Great is Your faithfulness!
By Your grace. For Your glory.
