Sat.’s Devo- Live at Peace

Read: Ezekiel 31:1-32:32; Hebrews 12:14-29; Psalm 113:1-114:8. Proverbs 27:18-20 Eleven years into their captivity, God had a word for the Pharaoh of Egypt. It had once been a beautiful prosperous nation which God compared to a cedar in Lebanon. It was filled with people and known for its opulence and splendor. It became the envy of the world and was filled with pride. *** Because Egypt became proud and wicked God was going to turn it over to a mighty nation to destroy it. Egypt and all its inhabitants would end up in the pit. They would dwell there with all the others who had descended into the pit in the grave. *** Twelve years into Israel’s captivity Ezekiel received a word he was to give to the Pharaoh of Egypt. This word was given on the 1st of Tishri making it the Feast of Trumpets. It said that Pharaoh thought of himself as a great leader among the nations but God saw him as a sea monster. God was sending many nations to catch him in his net. He would leave him stranded on the land to die. The whole land would be darkened when God did this. (These things were done before when God sent the plagues on Egypt - one of them was darkness.) *** God would destroy Egypt with the army of Babylon. The world will look on with terror. *** Fifteen days later, on the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles God gave Ezekiel another word. The evil hoard of Egypt were ordered to “tabernacle with others who had gone to the pit.” There they would be met with mighty leaders who had gone before them who had now become the shameful outcasts. Leaders of Elam, Mechech, Tubal, Edom, and Sidon are all down there lying in shame and guilt. Now Egypt would join them. *** In Hebrews, we are told to “work” at living at peace with everyone. That is not an easy task. Work at not becoming poisoned with bitterness. *** We are reminded that we now have access to God’s throne room. We don’t come with fear and trembling like they did in the Old Testament. We come to a joyful gathering of God’s firstborn children and to the king himself. Jesus as our lawyer mediated us a better covenant than they had. This covenant is about forgiveness, not revenge. We need to be careful to listen to what God is saying because this new covenant will not only shake the earth like at Sinai, but this new promise will shake the heavens also. Only what cannot be shaken and is rooted in righteousness will stand. *** Lord, may we fear you with reverence but draw near without fear of retaliation. We are so blessed to be invited into your throne room and to be called your children. May our sacrifice to you be holy and undefiled. Thank you for all you have done and still do for us. May your Kingdom come to earth as it is in heaven.