August 4, 2010 Out of Exile

August 4, 2010
Read Ezekiel 37 – 39

Ezekiel 39:28-29 Then they will know that I am the LORD their God, for though I sent them into exile among the nations, I will gather them to their own land, not leaving any behind. 29 I will no longer hide my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit on the house of Israel, declares the Sovereign LORD.”

ARE YOU feeling exiled from God? Does he seem far away and uninvolved with your life? Do you need him in a special way today, but you’re not sure he would welcome you?

God wants you to know he desires to meet with you. Meeting with a person face-to-face—that’s the best way to get to know and to develop a relationship with someone. God is willing and desires to look at you face-to-face so you get to know him.

You see, he knows you. He knows what you need and knows what you have done and not done. I know, that can be scary—and you might think, “I’m not going near God. He’ll just judge me.”

Well, he will judge your sins because he’s holy. BUT GET THIS--he’s willing to turn that aside, to forgive your sings and to forget them. He wants you to get past your past and move on with your life. As he did with the nation Israel, he wants to conquer the evil that attacks you and welcome you home to him. He wants to restore you and have you delight in him.

AND GET THIS: In all of who you are, he loves you.

All the crazy, weird imagery of chapters 37, 38 & 39 are about God’s ultimate, life-giving power to his people. At the end of time he will bring his own “home” out of the exile of sin and into his glorious eternal home. (see December meditations on Revelation)

Go ahead, trust his love. Meet him face-to-face. Tell him your fears and your needs. Tell him your hopes and desires. I’m sure you’ll have a great conversation!