Fri.’s Devo - God’s Goodness Toward His People

Read: Ezekiel 35:1-36:38; James 1:1-18; Psalm 116:1-19; Proverbs 27:23-27 God had a message to the people who lived on Mt. Seir. These were the descendants of Esau who were better toward God’s people and stood for their enemies everywhere. They had an eternal hatred for the people of Israel and had butchered Israel when they were helpless and God had already punished them for all their sins. God would make them desolate forever and their cities would never be rebuilt. *** When the time came for the people of Israel to return to their homeland, God would have plowed their fields and caused their crops to grow. He would have gotten the land ready for them to return. *** For his name sake, God will bring his people back and increase the population of Israel. The people had brought shame on God’s name while they were scattered but God would put a new heart in this people and a new spirit in them. He would take out their stony, stubborn hearts and give them a tender, responsive heart. He will put His Spirit in them and they will follow his decrees and be careful to obey his regulations. God will cleanse them of their filthy behavior and bless them with great harvests. They will rebuild their cities and their fields will look like the Garden of Eden. *** God was ready to listen to their prayers and fill their cities with people so that everyone would know that their god is the Lord. *** James addressed his letter to the twelve tribes of Israel. He told them that when troubles come they should consider it a great opportunity for joy. When their faith is being tested it is a chance for their faith to grow. The they need wisdom, all they had do is ask and God would give it to them. But they have to have faith and be stable with all their trust in the Lord alone. *** God will bless our endurance while we are being tested. When it is over we will receive the crown of life promised to everyone who loves God. It is not God who tempts us but temptation comes from our own desires. When we don’t have self-control, our desires can lead us to sin and sin gives birth to death. *** Lord, thank you that we are your prized possession. Thank you that you discipline us then comfort us with good things. Everything we have comes from you and we are so grateful. May we endure testing and come through the storms with faith.