The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 4 May 2020 – TOPIC: DIVINE INTERVENTION

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DATE: MONDAY, MAY 4, 2020
TOPIC: DIVINE INTERVENTION
READ: EZEKIEL 36:1-15 (NKJV)

1. “And you, son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel, and say, ‘O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the LORD!
2. ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Because the enemy has said of you, ‘Aha! The ancient heights have become our possession,’ ” ‘
3. “therefore prophesy, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Because they made [you] desolate and swallowed you up on every side, so that you became the possession of the rest of the nations, and you are taken up by the lips of talkers and slandered by the people” —
4. ‘therefore, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD! Thus says the Lord GOD to the mountains, the hills, the rivers, the valleys, the desolate wastes, and the cities that have been forsaken, which became plunder and mockery to the rest of the nations all around —
5. ‘therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “Surely I have spoken in My burning jealousy against the rest of the nations and against all Edom, who gave My land to themselves as a possession, with whole-hearted joy [and] spiteful minds, in order to plunder its open country.” ‘
6. “Therefore prophesy concerning the land of Israel, and say to the mountains, the hills, the rivers, and the valleys, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I have spoken in My jealousy and My fury, because you have borne the shame of the nations.”
7. ‘Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “I have raised My hand in an oath that surely the nations that [are] around you shall bear their own shame.
8. ” But you, O mountains of Israel, you shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to My people Israel, for they are about to come.
9. “For indeed I [am] for you, and I will turn to you, and you shall be tilled and sown.
10. “I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, all of it; and the cities shall be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt.
11. “I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bear young; I will make you inhabited as in former times, and do better [for you] than at your beginnings. Then you shall know that I [am] the LORD.
12. “Yes, I will cause men to walk on you, My people Israel; they shall take possession of you, and you shall be their inheritance; no more shall you bereave them [of children.”]
13. ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Because they say to you, ‘You devour men and bereave your nation [of children,’]
14. “therefore you shall devour men no more, nor bereave your nation anymore,” says the Lord GOD.
15. “Nor will I let you hear the taunts of the nations anymore, nor bear the reproach of the peoples anymore, nor shall you cause your nation to stumble anymore,” says the Lord GOD.’ “

THE MESSAGE:

Today we read about God’s plan to destroy Edom (descendants of Esau) and to restore Israel (referred to as mountains of Israel) from captivity. For her sins, Israel was banished (Deuteronomy 28:15-37; Ezekiel 20:13-26). Rather than show sympathy, Edom rejoiced at Israel’s captivity and economic woes. Edom even planned to take over the land of Israel (verse 2). Recall the old time enmity between Esau and Jacob. Verses 6 and 7 show that Israel’s period of shame and mockery would be over and their adversaries would have their own calamities.

People usually rejoice at the calamities of their “enemies”; even relations and neighbours. Christians who indulge in this must repent. We should learn to forgive our offenders rather than perpetuate enmity from generation to generation. Romans 12:18 commands Christians to make peace with all men. See also Luke 6:28. God frowns at disobedience to His command to love. Make peace with your enemies today; it may not be easy for the flesh but endeavour to do so. God is concerned about His people at all times. He is full of fury when He sees His people suffer mockery and shame. He plans restoration so our gloomy days will become bright.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to forgive my enemies and please restore what is lost in my life.