Thurs.’s Devo - God’s Plan for his City

Read: Ezekiel 47:1-48:35; 1 Peter 2:11-3:7; Psalm 119:49-64; Proverbs 28:12-13 The angel brought Ezekiel back to the entrance of the Temple and showed him a stream of living water that flowed from the altar to the east. He was taken down through the waters which got deeper and deeper until it reached the Dead Sea. This was a picture of the plan of God. Jesus died on this altar (figuratively) and his blood flowed down the altar to the world. His gospel spread throughout the earth and brought salvation to the bitter dead people. The Dead Sea where no fish could live because of the salt would be cleansed and teeming with fish. This is all pictures of what will happen when God pours out his Spirit on all flesh. The curse of the earth will be reversed and there will be life everywhere. Even nature will respond to the revival of the hearts of the people. Trees will grow along the sides of the river who bring food and healing to the people. I think of these trees represent people who will cycle through others lives to help them in the area they need healing. The land would be divided by tribes. Joseph which means “double fruit” would be given two shares of the land because his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim were adopted as sons by Judah. The land was apportioned in bands of land. The top band was given to Dan followed by Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim. Reuben, and Judah. All of their strips of land were the same dimensions. South of Judah was the land apportioned for the city which contained the Temple, the priests, and had land on both sides for the prince. Below this area was strips of land for Benjamin, Simeon, Issachar, Zebulun and Gad. The city had 12 gates labeled for the 12 tribes. Each tribe entered the city through their own designated gate. The name of the city was “The Lord is There”. Peter tells us how to live now in our temporary land we call earth. We are to keep away from the worldly desires that wage war against our souls. We live among people who will wrongly accuse us and the way we honorably face these trials will be a testimony to them of the good ness and holiness of God. It pleases God when we patiently endure unjust treatment. God called to do good even if it means suffering as Christ did. He didn’t retaliate or threaten revenge. He left his case in the Lord’s hands who always judges fairly. He took our sins with him on the cross that by his words, we are healed. Peter gives us the example of how wives should submit to their husbands even if it means having patient endurance. This is a place where we can be severely tested especially if our husband does not know the Lord. They will be won over by watching your lives. As women, our concern should not be our outward beauty as much as it should be our inner soul and spirit. A gentle and quiet spirit is what pleases the Lord. We show that we are putting our trust in the Lord when we trust our husbands since they are types of God’s authority. Husbands should honor and love their wives. She is his equal partner in God’s kingdom and he should treat her with equality if he doesn’t want his prayers to be hindered. Lord, help us to focus on our own lives and what you have called us to do, rather than on our spouses and what we think they should do. Give us patience and wisdom in walking through these days of uncertainty with our trust and hope in You. Thank you for the blessings and revivals you have planned for our futures.