THE LORD SPOKE (November 21)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Ezekiel 35-36

It starts out with a prophecy “to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys, to the desolate ruins and deserted towns” (Ezek. 36:4). Not your usual prophecy! But it is God’s promise to the Promised Land. To be sure, after the plunder and ravages of war, even the scorched land needed to be restored and so the two come together - the restoration of the land to make ready for the restoration of the people to the Land:

But you, O mountains of Israel, will produce branches and fruit for my people Israel, for they will soon come home. I am concerned for you [the land!] and will look on you with favor.... (Ezek. 36:8,9)

Because of their sin, God dispersed the Israelites and scattered them among the nations (Ezek. 36:19). The description “wandering Jew” became a byword as the world recognized (sometimes with glee) God’s judgment upon them in their Dispersion. They were driven from their Land (Ezek. 36:20).

But the same prophecies that foretold this dispersion and judgment always included the promise of God’s eventual restoration of His People. For His own sake (Ezek. 36:22, 32) He has obligated Himself in this regard and says:

For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. (Ezek. 36:24)

Then, echoing the promises of the New Covenant in Jeremiah 31, He promises them a cleansing and a new heart (Ezek. 36:25-26) and, finally, the indwelling Spirit (Ezek. 36:27). The result? Then (Ezek. 36:31, 38a) they will know beyond any possible doubt that God is Jehovah, the Sovereign Lord!


Psalms 131-132

Spurgeon said that Psalm 131 was “one of the shortest psalms to read, but one of the longest to learn”. How sadly true that is. Coming as it does right after Psalm 130, it is a reminder that we really have no basis for pride. All our potentially “great” deeds are quickly knocked down to size by our ugly sin. It’s a good thing that God doesn’t keep a record of sin (Ps. 130:3).

We so easily allow our personal achievements to cloud our vision. We have such an exalted view of our own heroic exploits. We try to make our own way in the world and this pride and haughtiness is our destruction. Scripture tells us that God resists the proud. Look at what happened to Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 4). Consider these verses:

• Rise up, O Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve. (Ps. 94:2)
• Those who walk in pride he is able to humble. (Dan. 4:34)
• The arrogance of man will be brought low and the pride of men humbled. (Isa. 2:17)
• God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. (Prov. 3:34; quoted in Jas. 4:6 and I Pet. 5:5)

Is that really the direction you want to go? If not, then “humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up” (Jas. 4:10, KJV). To do that, you need to follow David’s example here in Psalm 131.

I have stilled and quieted my soul. (Ps. 131:2)

How do you do that?

1. Sit down and be physically still for a few minutes.
2. Talk to God, asking Him to calm you down.
3. Purge your mind of all its agitations by concentrating your thoughts on the Lord.
4. Confess your sin as things come to mind and the Holy Spirit begins to work in your heart.
5. Read Scripture. It will help with that purging process. James or I Peter would be good places to start.

In doing so, you will be weaned away from worldly concerns. That’s the meaning of Psalm 131:2! You’ll find that your soul will be “stilled and quieted”. Proud thoughts will vanish one by one. Your “hope in the Lord” will be strengthened. You’ll be well on the way towards learning Psalm 131 instead of just reading it.