Fri.’s Devo - The Great Race

Read: Ezekiel 29:1-30:26; Hebrews 11:32-12:13; Psalm 112:1-10; Proverbs 27:17 It had been 10 years since captives had been taken to Babylon. God gave Ezekiel a message concerning the Pharaoh of Egypt. He compared him to a monster who lived in the Nile. God was going to drag him out of the water and leave him and all his followers in the wilderness to die. They would be devoured by the wild animals because Israel had leaned on them for help and they hadn’t been there for them. *** Egypt had claimed to have made the Nile River so they would lie desolate for 40 years uninhabited. Its survivors would be scattered among the nations. After the 40 years they would return and prosper, but never be of significance in the global scene. Then, Israel would not be tempted to ask for their help. *** In the 27th year of Israel’s captivity, God spoke to Ezekiel to King Nebuchadnezzar. His army had fought so hard against Tyre with nothing to show for it, so God gave Egypt’s land and riches to them for a reward. And the day would come that Israel’s wealth would return and Ezekiel’s prophecies would come to pass and be respected by the people. *** In the same war that Egypt would be destroyed, Ethiopia, Libya, Lydia, and all Arabia would also be destroyed by Babylon. They would all come to know that the Lord is God, Almighty. *** Hebrews recounts many stories of victories for the faithful, but also many other endings of those who were martyred for their faith in the Lord. Their hope was in the reward that would come after the resurrection. None of them achieved their goal on earth because they were part of the process that continues throughout time. It will continue till time is no more. We are part of that process. Everyone who has gone before us is a member of God’s crowd of witnesses that watch us and cheer us on. *** We now take the baton and run our section of the race. To keep on the track, we keep our eyes on Jesus who ran as a champion, and we try to imitate him. He has finished his race and is seated beside God in heaven. He encourages us not to give up when we need disciplining because it just proves he loves us and we are his beloved child. He disciplines us so we can share in his holiness. *** Lord, may we draw strength from the life Jesus lived on the earth and all the promises you have given us. The greatest promise is your presence and the honor of being your child.