On the side of our refrigerator you’ll find a handy magnetic notepad. Getting low on milk? Need some apples? Out of toilet paper? Put them on the list. College students coming home for the weekend? Put all the things on the list. Taking inventory is essential when it comes to figuring out what we have and what we’re missing. It may take some time, but it’s time well spent.
Lent invites us to take spiritual inventory. It invites us to ask God to reveal what we have and what we’re missing. Am I regularly experiencing God’s guidance, strength, and comfort, or do I feel like I’m running on empty? How is God shaping my worldview, relationships, work, and habits? Where am I missing Him? Maybe we need to admit where we’ve wandered. Maybe we need to pause and listen to His call to return.
In Ezekiel we see God’s people disoriented by disobedience. Their forced exile from home echoed their own willful exit from God and His ways. They had wandered far. In their anguish they cried, “Our transgressions and our sins are heavy on us, and we are wasting away because of them! How can we survive?” (Ezekiel 33:10). In desperation, they took inventory, confessed their sin, and cried out to the Lord.
We have an opportunity right now to take inventory, to confess our wandering, and express our desire to return home. Maybe we’ll find ourselves crying out with the ancient exiles, “Oh God, my sin and unbelief are wearing me out. I’m lost and hopeless apart from you! How can I survive?”
God takes no pleasure in our pain, and He does not abandon us. Instead, He makes a way for us to turn away from our wanderings and return to Him. God takes “no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked person should turn from his way and live. Repent, repent of your evil ways!” (v.11).
God gives what He commands: a way of repentance. How do we pivot toward this path of return? We begin by taking an honest inventory that includes resisting denial and recognizing where we’ve strayed. Then, we can confess our sin and our need for Jesus who paid the price for our unfaithfulness. We must take care not to turn in on ourselves, attempting to beat ourselves up or shape ourselves up. Instead, we rely on God’s provision of His Son, so that we can “have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).
Will we accept this invitation to take spiritual inventory this Lenten season? If we do, we’ll find that it’s time well spent.
Jesus, I confess that I stray every day in my thoughts, words, and actions. I’m prone to wander. In Your mercy, stop me in my tracks and show me where I’m missing You in my life and in the world. Thank you for reminding me of all that I have in You, including Your guidance, strength, and comfort on the path back home.
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41 thoughts on "Ezekiel As the Lord’s Messenger"
God is my shield hallelujah!
This is a perfect analogy!
God takes no pleasure in our pain and He does not abandon us. I needed to hear that today and reaffirm that truth in my heart. Thank you!
Amen ❤️ This is the best place to be to stay connected with God and the SRT community.
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. – Romans 5:2 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, – Romans 5:3 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, – Romans 5:4 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. – Romans 5:5
Thank you for the prayer. May God help me to be honest in my inventory.
This hit home…. Patti, thanks for the prayer for taking inventory.
Do not set my heart on gains… so powerful and so true. It can be easy to get caught up in wanting a bigger house, more money, etc but what matters is my walk in faith, my relationship with Jesus, and helping others
Changed Life – Chapter 33 is a bit of a reprise of the Watchman in chapter 3. In 3, Ezekiel’s ministry began warning of the fall of Jerusalem and he would be mute unless he was speaking God’s words. Now Jerusalem had fallen (vs. 21) and Ezekiel’s restricted speech was released (vs. 22). God is not going back on His word that each must be accountable for his own sin (18:21-29). However He would rather someone returns to Him instead of receiving punishment. God is confirming Ezekiel’s role and continued ministry to the Exiles.
I don’t believe the passage is saying God grants forgiveness because of ignorance.
This study has been difficult for me to read, but today I feel like I have found a possible answer to a question I have had for many years about who will be saved and who won’t. I pose this question to you ladies…Ezekiel 33:6 speaks of the failure of the watchman in warning the people that the sword is coming. That the sword will take the life of the person, but that the blood will be on the watchman as he did not warn that individual. The person is responsible for their own iniquity, but not for the blood.
Do any of you have insight or thoughts into what this means? In modern day, would this person be forgiven for their sins? I want to make sure I am reading this properly. Thanks in advance Shes!
Such a great visual and analogy. Thanks for sharing!
Happy Monday SHEs! I am at the point of wanting to quit reading Ezekiel but I was grateful I decided to open my Bible today. Ezekiel 33 was just what I needed today. I often look for answers and truth from authorities in my life. This reading reminded me that God is the ultimate authority and source of truth in my life. If I just simply quiet my mind and ask God for guidance, wisdom, strength….He is a good father and will provide. He just wants me to come to Him….He wants a personal relationship with EVERY one of His children. He is pursuing every one of us and He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. I pray I can walk in obedience and speak up like the good watchman Ezekiel when I am called to. And I am grateful for all of you ladies who bring wisdom in your comments here ❤️ so many new prayer requests to add to my list!
I’m praying the Lord would continue to show me where I have strayed, so that I can come back to him. ❤️
Happy Monday She’s!
I am loving the study of Ezekiel, which to be truthful I never understood this book before! It is so amazing to learn from SRT and ya’ll! I also got to listen to the podcast today on my bike ride and it was really, really good. I even shared it with my non-believing nephew that I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I was so sad after our discussion. Whether he listens or not, at least I was sharing it and with a few encouraging words.
I can somewhat understand why non-believers would think religions are basically all wrong since they mostly oppose or contradict each other, but mainly I think most people just want to be nonaccountable to anyone or follow the “rules’ of religion. Unfortunately, we just go about our lives until something hits us bullseye, smack in the head, or rather the heart. At that point sometimes we are aware enough to reanalyze our lives. It is so sad reading Ezekiel, seeing how going our own way breaks God’s heart. And that there are ramifications of being separated from God in our sin and desires and strong-headed pridefulness. Once the lightbulb went on (which many of us can say it was turned on and off quite a bit before it stayed on), we realize how we NEED our Savior, our Sin-Cleanser, the CROSS! Then we can let the Holy Spirit come alive in us, the dry-bones rattling, and use us for all good, HIS good.
Thank you Heavenly Father for bringing me to life again- I was a sinner, lost in the world, and you found me in my hurting, in my brokenness, and made me anew. Amen Let us shine that light for YOU and be so different from the world that they want what we have!
Praying for all you sisters, my friends and family members!
Great reflection on this! I’d have to agree with you too.
This is such a great reminder that God is with us, but we need to consider Him. He will lead us if we seek Him.
After today’s reading I can’t help but wonder…maybe our world came to where it is today, this corrupt culture, because we as Christians failed to watch over it. Where were we, where was I as the watchman? This study is blowing my mind wide open. Thank you SRT.
Should we take inventory just at Lenten season or should we not be taking inventory other times throughout our lives? Patti brought up many good points that we need to consider and really ponder deep down in our hearts and souls and spirits.
BUT GOD, BUT JESUS, BUT THE HOLY SPIRIT,…..do we not wander away and then come back always asking forgiveness, but we should be watching so we don’t wander to begin with. Our FAITH should be strong enough that we don’t need to turn anywhere else.
God, YOU ARE SO GOOD and I thank You for sending Your Son to die for my sins. I also thank You for filling me with the Holy Spirit so I can let others know about You and Your Son. Amen.
Sisters, be blessed and take inventory of what God has done for you and where you have wandered every day.
Amen
What a great prayer.
Beautiful and spot on prayer thank you Patti! Todays reading was so so so good and I absolutely LOVED the passages from Romans and Ephesians included in todays reading. Boy does this sound like our culture & some being swept up in cultures idea of justice and righteousness “17 “ ‘But your people say, “The Lord’s way isn’t fair,” even though it is their own way that isn’t fair. – Ezekiel 33:17 || Jennifer Anapol, how beautiful for you!! I will be praying for your pregnancy as well!! ❤️ we are only a couple weeks apart! I’m 18 weeks and 5 days today! Victoria E. That is so encouraging. I am so thankful for you and your sweet baby Elijah. Prayers for y’all!! Adrienne, praying for you !! GramsieSue and Lynne from Alabama you and your husbands are in my prayers daily. Searching, Angie, Taylor, Kelly Neo, Maria V. And SO MANY OTHERS, I’m praying for you and I’m sorry for forgetting to mention a name but all you She’s here are covered in my prayers, the Lord knows what is on your hearts and what you’re in need of❤️
Love this, very true.
The devotion and NT scripture was taking form in my mind when I looked up and noticed my iRobot aimlessly wandering, vacuuming up “stuff”, running into walls and furniture trying to “clean-up”. I realized how like that thing I am! I run around doing what I think I should, try to fix things, whisper a breath prayer and move on. Bumping walls and trying to fix things. After all these years I should have learned that if I just stop bumping into walls God’s voice will guide me through the Holy Spirit. If I will just quit moving aimlessly I will know what should be done. Too often I run on what I think should be done and all too often wind up neglecting what is truly needed for myself and others. (And yes I know the iRobot is a first world issue but a sweet gift since I cannot use a vacuum). Have a good week She’s!
Happy Monday! I was reading Acts yesterday and loved 3:19-20, which also ties in well with today’s readings…”Repent, therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…” Peter was speaking to unbelievers, calling them to repent and be saved, but I think the concept still applies to us as believers…when we repent and turn away from our sin and toward the Lord, seeking His presence, He offers sweet refreshment to our souls. Praying for that refreshment for all of us this week.
I don’t ever want to stray away from God. I get mad at myself when I do. Help me keep my attention on You. Guide me always and keep me on Your path.
Good morning! I don’t often post but do read and pray. I’m on early (for me) today. I really appreciate all your shared thoughts and struggles every day.
Patti- thank you for this devotion and prayer. The timing was perfect, as is the case when we let the Lord run things.
I attended my brother’s church yesterday as I was visiting him. The message seems to tie in with today’s reading. As we take inventory of the ways we need to change, we remember that we can’t do it on our on strength but must rely on Jesus as the living water, the one who will make us new. I realized that, though I am made new in Him, I don’t always live like it. It’s easy to get caught up in pettiness or worldly things.
Jesus, help me to live with love towards all around me. Please bubble your living water up through me so that it might spill onto those near me. Amen.
Amen❤
Good morning, all. I don’t usually post but I read and pray for you. Thank you for your shared wisdom and struggles. We are all in this together as sisters in Christ.
Patti- thank you for
Love the prayer at the end of this devo today- Lord in your Mercy- stop me in my tracks. I’m prone to wander every minute of every day! Recognizing so much in this study I have been lacking such humility that has distanced me from the cross, and then I’ve wondered why God left me. Sin separates. And this study has been such a reminder that I am full of sin, and I need to stay close to my Savior. Processing it all still, but thank you Lord for helping me repent. Daily. Minute by minute. So merciful.
@adrienne praying that you will rest better tonight. I too am dealing with hot flashes at night. I take Calm every evening and it helps with muscle twitching too. I also take mega mag 400 drops in my water throughout the day. Suggestions in love!
In Ezekiel 33 I am reminded that God never wanted to leave His people behind. We choose. The watchman calls out “You are headed towards destruction, death, and the enemy has deceived you!”. Pride and a hardened heart prevents the return to Yahweh. The warnings are clear. I pray for open ears, I pray for returning, change in thinking, change in hearts. Each new day, those not walking with Yahweh are survivors (Ezek 33:21). Today is a chance to turn and believe, return to Christ. Until there are no more days… May those who need salvation hear the call, may those who are lost and wandering find the way through the narrow gate. Hear the call to turn, repent and live. Ephesians 4 11:16 reveals how we are called and are given gifts, equipping us as followers of Christ to share in the work He came for. We share in His suffering, but also in His glory.; May we grow and mature like oaks by a stream. Our roots will grow stronger and deeper in truth, nourished by the Word. Our branches will grow fruit of kindness and grace, love fed by the truth. We will withstand the waves and the wind. No scheme will sway us. May we join and hold together in the love that Christ came to give. He taught, may we listen and learn. Until… Maranatha.
Today’s readings and devotional really got through to me. This is what I needed to hear. I want so badly to always do the right thing and stay on the path toward God but I stray everyday. May I continue to be reminded of my fo us toward God through the rest of Lent and everyday after
❤️
Good reminder that I had and still have the tendency to hear God and not act. I especially love the repetition of God saying He takes no pleasure in the death of anyone (in this case, the wicked)– and His call to repentance.
Oh wow… this brought me so much hope. And I feel really called by the reminder to not try to fix myself and to instead focus on Christ. How often do I pray, confessing my sins, but also saying that “I’ll do better” or that “I’ll try to fix it”? Instead I need to focus on Jesus. What I can’t do, He did. Thank you so much for this devotional!
♥️♥️♥️ one of my favorite reading days this Lenten season.
Patti, thank you for your words and this prayer. Last night before bed I was beating myself up about a repeated sin of people pleasing—so much so that I don’t even know what I want or need because I repeatedly bow to others.
God, I am warn out and prone to wander. Thank you for your Spirit who is there to guide me and strengthen me.
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How we long to live faithfully and honor God with our lives. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Everyone. But God, continually, consistently, faithfully calls us back when we start to wander. He has made a way, through Jesus Christ. Lord, give us ears to hear your call and hearts that turn obediently to You, immediately.
I was reading in Matthew 26 yesterday. The verse began like: Jesus was reclining at the house of Simon the Leper – and I thought, if Jesus was at his house, Simon had been healed, and yet his title was, Simon the Leper. When Simon was suffering from leperousy and had lost everything that would have been a tragic name/title. However, after the cleansing touch of Jesus, it was a title that commanded the acknowledgement of healing, it brought joy, and worship to the divinity of Christ, who had healed him. It was like a badge of honor.
Then the woman came in and drenched Jesus’ head with perfume. And I felt the Spirit of God lean me into the fact that she came and poured it over Him, herself. She could have given the perfume to one of the disciples and asked for it to be done, but no, she wanted to make sure her Lord was anointed and so she did the pouring out.
These are different scriptures than what we read in Ezekiel today, however, I see in Ezekiel God’s call to obedience and a life lived for Him alone. Simon the leper, now healed, lived…because of Jesus healing and gave Him the glory and honor. (What a feast that must have been.) And the woman gave the very best of what she had in obedience to the call on her heart, for the anointing of her Lord.
In Ezekiel, in Matthew, throughout God’s word, He calls us out of sin and into His kingdom. Our part is to obey.
Our former life of sin ate away all that was good, but in Jesus we have been healed. It is good to be known for that healing. The healing is evident and evidence of His mercy and love. And in gratefulness, I will be the one, who pours out all God has provided in my life, for Him and His glory. Amen.
What a beautiful prayer Patti. Thank you.
It is overwhelming to think of the great lengths that God has gone to in order to bring this fallen, broken girl to Himself. So unworthy. Often not appropriately grateful. BUT GOD will not give up until I am fully conformed into the image of His Son.
Ezekiel 33:31 really spoke to me as I replaced the ‘my people’ with myself. Every day (most times early in the morning) I try to sit down and ‘hear His words’ to spend time taking in God before anything else. Yet then the day starts and I do, think, say, or all of the above, what is not from God. In little things like a answer to someone, to big habitual things that you have “already sworn of”. And then when I’m consciously in the presence of God, my ‘mouth go on passionately’ but then when live comes in, I don’t do it or stick to it. And then I feel like how Paul said it in Romans 7:15-20.
Yet like how Paul in the next chapter after this, stops focusing on him self and his ability, and starts focusing on God the son, Jesus, and his abilitys; so should I (or we)!
Let’s not just recognise and confess our sin, and look towards Jesus for forgiveness, that one moment in our day. But let us continuely afterwards look for Jesus and his strength to not only have our ‘mouths go on passionately’ but our hearts also in our day to day, moment to moment life!
(Maybe it’s just me, still have a day fullater of actions for God, anyway!