The call to follow God always comes at a cost, but the hope of the gospel is that suffering as a follower of God is not in vain.
Ezekiel knew all too well the cost of following the God of Israel. At a time when he should have been in the midst of his priestly career, he was heralding hard truths to hard-hearted people who continued to tune him out. However, as we see in our text today, Ezekiel would yet pay an even higher cost of obedience.
He would lose his wife as another symbolic act for the ever-rebellious Israelites. But, even in the midst of his greatest loss, he wasn’t allowed to express that grief to others.
Can you imagine? The person you love most is taken from you, and you are not allowed to grieve? Not allowed to express the all-consuming pain you feel? No funeral. No mourning rights. No outward expression of grief. No meal trains. No days off. No sense of closure. Quiet groans were all Ezekiel was allowed. He had to get up and get dressed as if it were an ordinary day.
What a sleepless and sorrowful night that must’ve been. Even knowing the higher call and greater purpose of it all, the sting was no less painful. The delight of his eyes was gone in an instant (Ezekiel 24:16). Yet, even amid such pain, Ezekiel obeyed.
“So you will be a sign for them, and they will know that I am the LORD.” —Ezekiel 24:27
It was, of course, all pointing to God, so that in the midst of Judah’s loss, they would know and cling to the Lord. Their beloved temple would be destroyed—their source of pride and joy. But the people were putting more weight on the place and practices (and not all of them holy) than on God. Yet, they wouldn’t be free to lament because they would immediately be taken into captivity.
Sadly, we too are just as prone to make idols out of our religion—elevating a certain place, worship style, or tradition over and above God’s presence. We can cherish symbols and circumstances above the Lord our God.
Yet, Ezekiel’s suffering spoke of a much greater story that God was weaving together. He was calling His people back to Himself—and it would cost them everything. But the cost of being far from God will always be greater. God never promised His children a life free from suffering, but He does use it for good. It’s often in the moments of our greatest loss and pain that we are reminded of the hope we need beyond this world—that what we need more than any outward comforts or circumstances is the presence of God. The season of Lent offers us this space to cling fully to God over and above the things of the world.
Even at the destruction of His house, God would use Ezekiel to speak a message of hope that was coming for Israel. It reached far beyond their restoration from exile to their restoration from sin, when God would put on flesh, coming in the form of a man. It would be through this hope—Jesus Christ—that His people would know that He is forever and always—God with us (Matthew 1:21–23).
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98 thoughts on "The Death of Ezekiel’s Wife"
Lord we trust you. Heal our land.
I also can’t follow the thread. Any helpful hints?
Jen G the big picture is it’s all about God. If you notice God keeps saying And then you will know that I am God. The big picture is for everyone to know God and to glorify Him. He can use ways that seem very hard to us but in the end it is all so that people will know He is God. We often feel sorry for the people but they absolutely stand condemned before a holy God by their actions. And they have been warned over and over and given chance after chance. As far as Ezekiel, we are told that we have to carry our cross. This was obviously hard for him but the amazing thing is that he was able to put God over everything else, obedience over Everything. This is what a holy God requires. In comes Jesus Hallelujah. God knows we are sinners and can’t follow the laws to be perfect which is what a holy God requires. So through the blood of Jesus we are made righteous and can have a relationship with Him and have eternal life with Him. Remembering Job always helps me remember the big picture when it comes to God and suffering.
Jen, I think you are following along beautifully and in your last comment (must have been your
Catching up here, but I wanted to share a few things I read in a commentary…
The certainty of God’s judgment should have lead to contrition in His people’s hearts; instead, delay led to doubt.
They went about their lives as if there were nothing to worry about.
Am I weeping in prayer over those I know who walk as enemies of Christ?
God is free to use His people in the way He knows is best.
God’s plan is never just for kicks. He always knows what He is doing, why He is doing it, and the best way to do it. He also knows the measures He has to speak into the depths of our depravity.
Seeing what Ezekiel sacrificed and the purpose for which it was intended should lead us to assess whether we are “all in” for the Gospel.
Do you guys think that Ezekiel not being allowed to mourn was a reflection of God not mourning when having to punish his people for their sinfulness?
I was wondering if it was just me. This study is very difficult to comprehend
“Even amidst such grief and pain, Ezekiel obeys God” Hope we need beyond this world…..presence of God! Despair throughout Ezekiel and dark seasons of disobedience to God and God’s wrath on the people of Israel. I pray I can be obedient to to God’s word and for God to give the strength and courage to do as God commands. I can’t even imagine not grieving over my spouse, children, parents, siblings …..
“Even amidst such grief and pain, Ezekiel obeys God”
JENNIFER ANAPOL- I am having the same struggles with this reading. I had the same questions…Did God just know Ezekiels’s wife was going to die? did God cause her to die to make a point? This will likely always be one of the mysteries I will not fully understand. Thank you for the reminder that we do know God is good. If I’m honest I had some anger come up with today’s reading. Ezekiel was asked to do some very hard things and he was being obedient and then his wife dies and he cannot publicly mourn?! This seems so harsh and unfair but God was using this for a greater purpose. It is still all so hard for me to comprehend. I have been tearful the last two days and feel disconnected from God. I am trying to keep up with my readings and prayer but it has been hard these last few days. I know this feeling will pass and I will just try to do my best to keep opening my bible even when it feels hard.
CHRISTINA JOHNSTON-celebrating the birth of your son and praying for your marriage, I wish I could just hug you right now.
KRISTI KANAS-Praying for a peace that surpasses all understanding as you walk through this season of anxiety while caring for your two little ones. God is with you in this season.
GAYLE RADAVICH- Prayers for healing in your marriage
SEARCHING AND TRICIA CAVANAUGH- thank you for your prayers for my family, I am forever in awe of this community of Godly women who help bear each other’s burdens
ALLY M- Prayers for your requests of patients, obedience and surrender
HEIDI-cpntinued prayers for your family(niece, brother, others who have turned away from God)
ADREINNE-Prayers for Tucker and his family for healing and peace
VICTORIA E- prayers for God’s guidance as you raise up sweet Elijah, you are doing a great job already :)
DOROTHY- continued prayer for Finley’s health journey
JEN G- I too am struggling with Ezekiel, I feel my faith under attack. I have to remember that God’s goodness is not dependent on my circumstances. A message at church this past Sunday included the fact that everything I “own” is a gift from God. My physical possessions down to my gifting and personality all comes from God. I am entrusted to steward it and He can take it back at any moment to further His purposes. If I am too focused on myself this seems harsh but if I focus on the idea that this may be used for a higher purpose I cannot see it helps me to not get into a victim mentality(I am very good at throwing pitty parties for myself lol) I am with you though, I am still really struggling with why Ezekiel’s wife had to die and he could not publicly mourn…..so heartbreaking.
ANGIE-how is your husband doing post surgery?
CHURCHMOUSE-Prayers for healing
SANDI-Prayers for your husband’s health
GRAMMISUE-rayers for you and your husband Steve on his health journey
REBECCA-for your son and his mental illness and your marriage
RHONDA J- for your family member’s to be filled with the Holy Spirit and turn back to Christ
SISSY-for your marriage and faith
BROOKE P-for your pregnancy
SANDI STANLEY- Husband’s cancer treatment and mood
TAYLOR- anxiety
ANDREA HENRY- for Daphne’s cancer treatment and her family
@ Angie Blair ..i am using the KJV study bible ;)
Yes Stephanie to be honest this entire study of Ezekiel has been a challenge for me to truly comprehend. Thank you for the suggestion of the Bible Recap podcast. I will look that up.
Yes Stephanie to be honest this entire study of Ezekiel has been a challenge g
Jen G – I’m praying for you!
Other Heidi haha- “God isn’t defined by my circumstances, but my circumstances can be completely redefined by the presence of my God.” That is so so good! Thank you for sharing !
Jen G., it is such a difficult book. Even for those whose faith feels strong at the moment. (My faith tends to ebb and flow). When I read this passage, it reminded me that God had been warning his people for the previous 22 chapters. But, like today, they weren’t listening. The devotional was easier to digest. Drawing near to God is costly, but not drawing near to him costs more.
Oh no I think my post got deleted. Thank you to all who replied to my comment from earlier- Claire B, Tricia Cavanaugh, Donna Wokcott, Stephanie G, and others! I literally cried knowing all you dear sisters are praying for me and supporting me. What a beautiful community this is. If this online community is so wonderful imagine how Heaven will be ! Thank you for the suggestions. And thank you for lifting me and Elijah up in prayer.
Angie, Jen G, and anyone else who struggled with today’s reading like I did, I just listened to The Bible Recap podcast on today’s chapters (Day 246) and it really helped with perspective on chapter 24.
Jen G. It is hard to understand why people who are obedient to God have to go through difficulties. I don’t think the Bible promises anyone a life w/o difficulties though. God’s love for us & the grace He extends to us are unbelievable b/c not one of us is able to purely love or obey Him. The laws are constantly pointing out that no matter how hard we try to follow them, we cannot- hence our need for Jesus. With Jesus doing ALL of the work for us to be forgiven, our only work is to believe in His sacrifice & resurrection.
I’ve prayed for you to be filled with His love & peace tonight.
I can’t seem to follow the tbread on here – everyone’s comments seem in the wrong order? I’ve never posted before but had to today as my faith has been very wobbly recently and this study is definitely NOT helping. How can someone so obedient to God’s calling get thrown such a lot of hard things? I dunno. It’s hard to keep walking and following when we can’t understand the big picture?
Victoria E. Just read this from Midnight Mom “Tonight we pray for the momma who has a newborn baby. Lord, this is such a precious time for her and her little one. We ask that You would help her and give her peace and most of all much needed rest when she can. Please help this momma each day during this season. We know that You are with her every moment of every day. Please fill her days with joy and her nights with peace. We ask in Jesus’s name, Amen.”
I felt like todays devotional was so good. Reading Ezekiel is hard and there’s still so much I feel like I miss out on, but today something clicked. In Ezekiel 23:37, when the imagery of adultery is used, it painted a picture I could understand. When a spouse cheats on another, it’s so very hurtful and the bride of Christ choosing worldly things over him is the same. The sin of Israel hurt God and I had never really stopped to think about how much their (and our) sins hurt him.
Victoria E. Give yourself some grace. If you can stand still for 1 minute and breathe and just say Thank you Lord you will feel release. You will find a new routine but caring for your little is where you should be right now. It is how God made you. We are so blessed to have shared this desire you now hold. Isn’t it just the most amazing thing? How can people doubt God after seeing the birth of a child? Cherish in peace your time with your baby. As you rock and feed use breath prayers to stay in communion with God. Blessings to you.
Dear Victoria, I mentioned in a previous message I had twins. They nursed every 1-2 hrs at the beginning and I’ll admit there were tears, mine. Once I realized it was ok to let household things go for a bit and use their sleep time to get some rest for myself it helped my mood. God understands that prayer time is different for awhile. Small prayers before a rest might help you or when feeding your son. It’s important to take care of “mom” in order to take care of your child. It takes time to get into a rythm, but it does happen. YOU’Ve GOT THIS.
Victoria, I find much of my time with God as I’m feeding my son. He nurses for quite a long time, so once he drifts off to sleep I open my app and start
Well, I meant to say VICTORIA E, not Angie, I’m sorry, but I am praying. I guess that’s what lack of sleep does for me. Blessings ladies.
@Christina. Prayers for you and your family.
Just reading through all the requests. CRISTINA I am praying for you to know the joy that comes with being a mama and the strength that comes when dealing with the situation with your husband. ANGIE I am praying that you will find a new balance, between your time, God time, baby time, and family time. He is able to help you figure it out. I know there were other requests. I can’t seem to scroll through here. SISTERS I am praying for you. God is able. God is faithful. ❤️
@Mercy What study Bible do you use?
What study Bible do you use?
I feel the same way. I’m having a hard time wrapping my mind around todays devotional.
I feel the same way. Having a hard time wrapping my mind around todays devotional.
Ezekiel was really put through a lot when he had to lose his wife and then not given the opportunity to mourn. I can’t even imagine the pain that he must have felt and the strength it took to stay devoted to God and obey God. Even if it’s painful, I must obey God
Hi Victoria! Still so excited that you have had your precious little one we have prayed about for these past months! I would suggest having Christian music on the radio (K-love or a local one with ministry programs!) I had one in my kitchen and then on the second level of my house that played nonstop! You would be amazed how the music connects you with God all day as you go through your day! Plus, you’ll be amazed how your little guy will grow up knowing the Lord through the music! But of course, find time for us! (lol)
@Mercy, thanks for your input, you always share so much wisdom- as do all of you!
@Christina- Prayers for you! I know exactly how you feel, although my son was 1 1/2, but still was a shocker and crushed me and my little family. I found that journaling, confiding with a close friend, and my music playing was helpful! It is the time I dropped to my knees and knew I couldn’t get through it alone. Praying for you!
Cristina, praying for you. I cannot imagine dealing with this on top of having a newborn. Thank you to all who have been praying. We are home from the hospital and doing well. My anxiety is definitely more than it has been but I have been taking what few moments I can get to pray about it, if I can ask for prayers for this as well. All my quiet time routines with the Lord have been disrupted- my morning hour I spend on here, my lunch time with the Jesus Calling devotional, and my pre- bed routine in the Bible in One Year. I feel the lack and also the guilt. Honestly my emotions are so over the place I haven’t been able to read Ezekiel during the few moments I can find. Any other moms with advice on how to carve out some alone time with God during the early days of having your baby home? I still haven’t even been showering regularly yet !Thank you!!
My heart goes out to Ezekiel. This reminds me of people like me who lost loved ones early in the pandemic. Not being allowed to be with them in the hospital or nursing home, funerals limited to ten people including the minister, travel restrictions, and issues with exposure and isolation limiting who could attend. Judgement by others on ability to publicly grieve made this a hard time. God alone knows what is in your heart.
In Oholah and Oholibah story we are warned about how following in the wrong footsteps of your family members will always turn out bad. We must break out of the cycle of rebelling against God before it is too late.
In Ezekiel 24, we are taught that if are unwilling to change for God, and be better children, that will lead to nothing. “I have tried to cleanse you of the filth of your immorality, but since you would not be cleansed, you shall not be cleansed.” We must not taking the lessons of the Bible lighty and take what we learn and apply it to our lives
I’m having a hard time with the devotional today. I can’t even imagine loosing a loved one and not being allowed to grieve over the life that was lost. I know that God is good, I just can’t fully wrap my head around her death. Did God cause her to die, or did he just know she would die and he was using it as an example to the Israelites? I guess I don’t have all the answers, but I do know that God is good, and he can use any situation for his good and glory.
The death of Ezekiel’s wife was a hard one to process, even the prophet himself experienced loss, and not just merely prophesying words. A note from my study bible that is worth sharing: Ezekiel was not to mourn publicly over her. This silence was a sign that the exiles would lose Jerusalem and many of their loved ones with it. The slaughter and the destruction would be so massive that normal expressions of grief would be inadequate. Further, through the prophet’s example, the exiles would understand that they must go on in life in obedience to God’s purposes for them, despite their own sorrow.
@Christina, praying for you (Psalm 9:9)
Congratulations on the birth of your son Christina and prayers for your marriage. Hope you both can seek counseling. It is indeed a bitter sweet time. Victoria E. I hope things are getting easier for you. Other requests lifted in .
Kristi Kanas, I’ve struggled deeply with PPD&A and I’m praying for you today! One moment at a time.
Praying for you, Cristina! That you will be given wisdom, comfort, and abundant love from the Father and that you will know His peace. I’m so sorry you’re going through all of this
I was struck by God’s grace today. Go figure! Ezekiel’s wife was going to die one way or the other. Ezekiel couldn’t mourn, but God made his wife’s death have meaning and purpose – reminding generations of us to know that God is the Lord in life and in death. And for me, I think having a call to a specific task like Ezekiel had – a mission – during a time of horrendous loss would be a grace too, to keep me from drowning in sorrow. God help me to see His grace even in the hard times!
Praying for a restored marriage for you and your husband Christina.
Lindsey spoke to my heart in this devotional today. After the deaths of my older son and my niece, if I wasn’t able to mourn I don’t know that I would have been able to handle it. Yes my faith was and is what got/gets me through but I believe mourning the death of a loved one is and always will be an integral part of ones health — mental, spiritual and physical. When I read, “God never promised His children a life free from suffering, but He does use it for good. It’s often in the moments of our greatest loss and pain that we are reminded of the hope we need beyond this world—that what we need more than any outward comforts or circumstances is the presence of God.” I told myself Lindsey knew my heart and spirit.
I’m not sure how many of you read my comment yesterday but I had great news; PRAISE THE LORD, the doctors have figured out what antibiotic will work for Finley and should know today what anti fungal works, both of which parents and I can give at home through her g-tube. This means she should be able to go home tomorrow or Wednesday more than likely. Hallelujah, God is sooo good!!!
Be blessed and know that God, Christ and the Holy Spirit are with you wherever you go and whatever you do.
Remarkably, Ezekiel obeyed God. However overwhelming the feeling may have been to mourn and weep, Ezekiel was determined to honor God by obeying Him despite his feelings and the quite understandable circumstances.
“Obedience must be yielded to God even in the most difficult duties, and conjugal love must give place to our love to him.” (Trapp)
CHRISTINA – so much prayer coming your way. I’m so sorry.
ANGIE you said “do we take God and His tender mercies for granted?” Yes, I do. I want to remember the magnitude of just what God gave us in having His son take our sins to the cross. I am so spoiled with that knowledge. It is easy to go about our business and not focus on what the gift truly gives us. Thank you for putting it into words that struck me with clarity.
Lindsay said “We need the presence of God. The season of lent offers us this space to cling to God over and above the things of the world. It would be through the hope of Jesus Christ that His people would know that He is forever and always – God with us.
Please Lord help me to cling onto you above all else in this world.
I am struck (astounded?) by the impossible things God calls Ezekiel (and other prophets in the OT) to do…AND by the ways He meets them in the impossible with the grace to carry out His instructions. We are also a set-apart people, often called to do or say hard things. Thanking God for the grace that is promised for those moments.
CRISTINA – my heart sank at your words. Praying for brokenness and humility for your husband and for God’s presence and peace to be tangible to you as you nurture your sweet boy (congrats!).
Praying for you, Cristina. Father God, You alone know the beginning and the end. You will walk with Cristina through this. I pray that the joy of this little boy eclipses any heartbreak. You chose her to be his mom and You will guide her each step of the way. I know that Your desire is for her marriage to be restored and so I pray that You do whatever needs to be done for that to happen, yet be merciful. Open her husband’s heart and mind to remember their courtship and all the things they so love about each other. I pray her husband is willing to go to Christian counseling, to do whatever it takes to reconcile. But if he remains in his sin, Lord make Your presence known to Cristina. Hold her so close that she hears Your heartbeat. Give her strength and endurance. Bring family and friends to comfort, encourage and help her. Let her breathe in Your Holy Spirit and exhale any anxiety or fear. Let her know that Your angel army surrounds her. May she praise you for the new life You have given her and for Your Word which promises You will never leave her or forsake her. Give her the energy she needs to care for her son and give her sound sleep through the night. Remind her that You stand watch over them both. Take what Satan plans for evil and turn it into good. You are more than able. Give Cristina unexpected strength to trust You. You have a good future for her and her son. Thank You for standing in this fiery furnace with her. Amen
Thank you for sharing this! ❤️
I feel this same way reading this passage. I could not imagine harboring the pain of losing my husband without being able to grieve. This book of the Bible and the angrier side of God is a hard read for me as well. ❤️
I will be praying for you Terany. I obviously don’t know you or your journey with our Lord but I know that he loves you and sees your struggle. The thing that has helped me the most is learning that God is after my performance, he is after my heart. I pray for you as the apostle Paul prayed that you will be rooted and established in love (Ephesians 3:17). We love because we know that we know that God loves us first. I hope that helps. Blessings!
These are harsh words from God through Ezekiel. They are also a good reminder that there are consequences when we sin. God doesn’t grade on a sliding scale. We are either for Him or against Him. We are either saved or we are not. No gray area. No wriggle room. No straddling the fence. He is so faithful to forgive us of our sins. We need only ask. Jesus gave His life that we can live in freedom and not fear. Confess. Repent. Believe. Accept. Follow. His banner over us is love.
CRISTINA J- praying. Praying wisdom for you and what you can control, and peace for you and your new little love. If I may- I’d encourage you to find time to hold that baby and listen to/sing with worship music… Raise a Hallelujah, Christ Be Magnified, God You’re So Good – are all amazing songs to set your heart to the peace and presence of God in your situation. You’re held… ❤️
Amen
This study has definitely been hard for me. Todays reading hit me especially hard as one of my biggest fears is something happening to my sweet husband. I can’t imagine being asked to bear the weight of that grief in silence. Also, this study has hard and harsh realities of the wrath that the Lord is planning to pour out on the Israelites. I grew up focused more on the New Testament and the Love that God gave us through his son – the “angry God” of the Old Testament made me feel afraid and scared when I was young and man if those fearful feelings don’t creep back in as I read Ezekiel!! I love that Jesus is our redeemer and that he came to save us. But this study is challenging. Grateful that I am not alone in my feelings about this study too. It is validating to know so many others are feeling convicted and challenged in this Lenton season. I cannot imagine how life would be livable without the hope we have in Him. The world is so incredibly broken and my anxiety and “what if” mentality can keep me up at night but I know that hope exists in Jesus. Lots of breath prayers and intentional time in His word keep my mind and heart at peace. ❤️
I SOOOOOO grew up in that religious culture… our denomination was THE denomination, you’re faith was only as big as the outward/visible practices you demonstrated, if you were a GOOD Christian (Uhg that phrase literally makes me cringe) you were there every time the doors were open. And the scariest thing was when those OPINIONS turned into BELIEFS they also became the thing worshiped. The idol. And just that fast, the usefulness of that church begins to diminish. It’s sad. And it’s 100% useful for and by our enemy… and it’s happening all over… :(
It’s hard to read about Ezekiel’s loss… we like to decide for God that He’s promised if we follow him and are obedient to His call, then harmful things won’t happen to us. But we know that’s not a Godly promise it’s a human interpretation/false teaching that needs to be squashed.
We have very close friends that are not believers (in fact, probably better described as anti-believers…). They lost their first baby and decided a good God wouldn’t allow that.
They’ve (as many of us do to an extent) defined God by their circumstances.
Fact is- God isn’t defined by my circumstances. However- my circumstances can be completely redefined by the presence of my God. I experienced it first hand with an incredibly difficult later-term miscarriage. What I ended up having to go through physically and mentally was beyond anything my “self” could endure. When I think back on those hours of the worst part of the experience, I absolutely remember tears and loss and sadness- of course! AND? It’s like there is this “covering” over it. Because I remember God, His presence, His unbelievable comfort that literally did go beyond any sense of understanding or reason. I have never in my life experienced anything like that and while I would never want to experience the loss again, the closeness, the intimacy I felt with my creator is undeniable and it actually makes it possible to look back on a tragic circumstance with joy and new purpose. He took a literal death that was in me and created a new sense of life in me that I can’t quite put into words. All I know is when we put Him to His word, and please read that correctly – we put Him to HIS. WORD. not others false interpretations of his word – He will show up, He will be true, He will be faithful beyond anything you could imagine.
CRISTINA, praying fervently for you and echoing the wisdom of our sisters here, knowing He holds us and understands the full picture….BUT He does invite us to sit on His lap and cry out and ask questions. He never leaves us. May you smell the sweet aroma of your Saviour encompass you as you take in that yummy newborn scent; your little one feels you so, as best you CAN, recite words of hope and promise over him as he feeds, knowing they are for you too!! ❤️
I don’t see KRISTI’s post either. God bless you.
Hi VICTORIA E, hubby & ❤️ Elijah!!
Hi ERB ❤️
Praying for ❤️ each of us ❤️ in this Lenten season. Thank you for the reminder that none of our fleshly desires can EVER measure up to our Saviour!
Once again I was up at the wee hours of the night. And came here to see if I could pray for. But I did not post. I’m off to work. Christina, please know I am praying for you and your baby.
i’m always reminded from Deuteronomy – “purge all the evil from among you” my prayer is that each of us would remember this repetitive scripture and remember the cost of our sin. none of our fleshly desires are worth it. none. and none compare to the immeasurable goodness of what we have in God.
In the moment it is so much harder to be comforted that God doesn’t work in vain and that our journey to true faithfulness and sanctification requiring long suffering and sacrifice. I get so consumed that I begin desire an easier lifestyle. Honestly I know God calls us to love His son and know our God is my heart mind and soul but honestly my flesh feels so strong against the spirit of Lord. Please pray for me to depend on God more so my flesh doesn’t win everytime
Cristina, congratulations on the blessing of your baby boy. Praying today for you and your family. God loves you and sees you.
I don’t truly understand what the parable of the Lord is talking about but I will make a note to come back to it after I study the Word more intentionally.
God, give us obedient hearts that seek to honor you before anything and everything.
What needs to die in me in order for me to grow closer to God? I have some serious contemplation ahead of me. May we all get rid of the things in our way that take us away from God.
Praying for you, Cristina, Gayle, and Kristi. I am lifting up past prayer requests as well. May God work in your lives and bring peace to your hearts. I found Ezekiel to be a hard read this morning. Maybe it’s the early hour or maybe it’s that uncomfortable feeling as I realize that it’s not just these people who find other things to worship then God. Father, please open my eyes to you. Please help all to love this world less and love you more.
I have known great suffering, and I know an even greater God. He is with us always. Coming to know this truth makes all the difference. We are in his hands as believers, and he will provide.
Praying for you, Cristina and Kristi. May God work in your lives and
Christina,
My heart hurts for you. But I know with God all things are possible. May He restore your joy and bring much wisdom to your family. He is able. I pray you stay near to Him and your faith increases. We are here for you.
“For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’”
Isaiah 41:13 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/isa.41.13.NKJV
Hang in there, He is with you, He will help you and joy will come.
“For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’”
Isaiah 41:13 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/isa.41.13.NKJV
Lifting you up in prayer @Christina and I cannot see @Kristi’s post but praying for you as well.
Lord I pray that I would keep my eyes fixed on you above all else – as the devotion said the cost of being far from You is always greater than whatever is pulling my attention and affections. May I lay down everything else at the foot of Your cross and rely completely on You. I hope everyone has a blessed Monday! So thankful for this community <3
Praying for you, Kristi Kanas. And for you, Cristina, and your family. And the other needs mentioned. So thankful we can pray for each other.
Praying for you, Cristina ❤️
Ezekiel’s wife and moving on from her death meant to symbolize how Isreal should cling to God in destruction instead of mourn the loss of idols. But how devastating. And the same time how amazingly strong this mama faithfulness is. Praying for faith that deep.
CHRISTINA & KRISTI – sending prayers for God’s incomparable comfort and peace. Christina, I remember how hormones are after giving birth and I can only imagine how devastated the news is of what your husband has said he wants. You are seen and loved and valued. I will pray. Please keep us updated. ❤️
KRISTI – I understand the mountain ahead of you. I know the climb to try to get to the summit and take in the view of unobstructed beauty and better air to breathe. I am so sorry you are in a crippling season of anxiousness. You are not alone. What you are going through is very real and trying. God is bigger than the anxiety. His truth and all-encompassing piece is the rock on which you stand, even if it feels like you are on sinking sand. You are held, equipped, rescued. It will it last forever. I promise. If you need anything, please let me know.
CHRISTINA & KRISTI – sending prayers for God’s incomparable comfort and peace. Christina, I remember how hormones are after giving birth and I can only imagine how devastated the news is of what your husband has said he wants. You are seen and loved and valued. I will pray. Please keep us updated. ❤️
KRISTI – I understand the mountain ahead of you. I know the climb to try to get to the summit and take in the view of unobstructed beauty and better air to breathe. I am so sorry you are in a crippling season of anxiousness. You are not alone. What you are going through is very real and trying. God is bigger than the anxiety. His truth and all-encompassing piece is the rock on which you stand, even if it feels like you are on sinking sand. You are held, equipped, rescued
CHRISTINA & KRISTI – sending prayers for God’s incomparable comfort and peace. Christina, I remember how hormones are after giving birth and I can only imagine how devastated the news is of what your husband has said he wants. You are seen and loved and valued. I will pray. Please keep us updated. ❤️
In my studying today I read some commentary that Ezekiel knew God’s grace was sufficient to get him through. God gives us what is needed to endure and glorify Him. Gods grace is Gods activity in your life giving you the desire and the power to do what you can not do for yourself. God is saying “I will be there in such a way that I will be working so that you will be hand in hand with Me and you will be glad for your weakness.”
Ezekiel had limited knowledge but he said “here I am Lord! Do with me as you please!”
In my studying today I read some commentary that Ezekiel knew God’s grace was sufficient to get him through. God gives us what is needed to endure and glorify Him. Gods grace is Gods activity in your life giving you the desire and the power to do what you can not do for yourself. God is saying “I will be there in such a way that I will be working so that you will be hand in hand with Me and you will be glad for your weakness.”
In my studying today I read some commentary that Ezekiel knew God’s grace was sufficient to get him through. God gives us what is needed to endure and glorify Him. Gods grace is Gods activity in your life giving you the desire and the power to do what you can not do for yourself.
Praying for you this morning Christina Johnson, for the restoration of your marriage, and may God heal all the hurt you feel and give you peace and Joy. Congratulations on the birth of your sweet baby❤️
Praying for all prayer requests, may God almighty grant the desires of our heart and may we feel his presence in Jesus name. Amen
Praying for your marriage and new son, Christina! May God comfort you and hold you close. Congratulations on your new son. Praying for all other requests too!
Chapter 24 keeps referencing the desire of the peoples hearts. What is the deepest desire of my heart? I want it to be God, but that isn’t always true. So often I long for comfort and control more than relationship with God. Lord, shift the priorities of my heart ♥️
Oh Christina my heart aches as I shed tears for you, may God hold you and the Holy Spirit fill you with strength and love.
The writer today said God never promises a life free from pain but He does use everything for good. During this time, as we are all praying behind you, look for Gods goodness, beauty and truth. We don’t have any answers and we know how we want the story to end but we must wait and see what he has for you. God be with you and fill you with his presence. Snuggle and focus on your new little lamb.
❤️
Cristina- praying for you, your new son and your marriage. We serve a good God
Praying for you Christina
CRISTINA JOHNSTON – praying that the LORD will bring you peace and wisdom.
From HRT: “God asks Ezekiel to mourn in private, but conceal his grief in public as a parable to the people. While Ezekiel loved his wife, the people of God did not love Jerusalem. Had they loved, they would have repented and returned to God in order to preserve their city and their covenant. Now that the city is lost, they are not allowed to grieve because grief is a sign of love and the absence of love is the very thing that brought about the loss.
“That is the message God has for the people through Ezekiel’s very personal sign. The judgment of God is a response to their failure of love.”
The world will know we are Jesus’ disciples by our love…Lord, forgive us for our misplaced affections.
Cristina – May God hold you close to His heart at this time. I thank Him for the gift of your son and pray for your husband and your marriage.
From HRT: “I need passages like these. I need to be reminded of the justice of God in response to sin. I need to be reminded that all sin is ultimately a failure to love most what is most deserving of love. This Lenten season, I need passages like these that remind me of how much I need the cross of Jesus to cover my lack of love and to rightly order my loves around Him.”
The people were not only taking God and his mercies for granted but also the temple where He dwelled. Hmm. In our world today, do we take God and his mercies for granted when we do not obey Him? …when we live for “self,” or some other idol instead of giving Him the throne of our heart? Our bodies are the “temple” of our God, if we are His children. Do we desecrate it with sinful acts and attitudes? What we look at, what we say, what we do, where we allow our thoughts…And if so, is it because we do not love the Only One who rightly deserves love?
Lord God, You are Almighty, all-powerful, King, Creator, Savior, Lord. Thank you for everything about You and that You, God, make yourself known to us. Thank you for a depth, breadth, length, and width of love that we can only begin to understand as we know You better. Help us to draw close to You. Rid your “temple” in me of sin completely. May the blood of Jesus Christ purify and restore every cell of this temple. Teach me to love even as I live in this world. For You alone Lord God, and through You according to your will and your plan. In Jesus name and only by the power of His life, death, and resurrection. Amen.
CRISTINA JOHNSTON – joining JENN PLUMB and others in prayer for you, your sweet baby (congrats), your husband and your marriage. For strength and comfort as you draw closer to the Lord, peace in your heart as you cuddle and care for your son, for healing and reconciliation in your marriage.
These passages in Ezekiel really hit me this morning. The continued and escalating evil & horrors of Judah. Ezekiel’s quiet, subdued, limited mourning of his wife’s death in obedience to God and continuing to present God’s warnings to the people. Commentaries I read noted that deaths were usually mourned loudly and publicly, which brought to mind the sacrifices of their children – was there no mourning for these horrific deaths?
Lord, praying for my heart’s obedience, and that I would recognize when I stray/sin, especially when the straying/sinning “seems” insignificant …
DOROTHY – continuing to pray for Finley and thankful for the good report.
Praying through other mentioned needs and situations, HEIDI, SHAENA ELIZABETH, the people of Ukraine.
Praying for you, Christina, and for your husband. I am so sorry you’re going thru this. I pray that God’s presence and peace will overwhelm you. Cling to Him. Trust Him. He is with you. Rejoicing over the birth of this precious baby boy.
Praying for a restored marriage and peace.
Praying for you, your husband, and your son. Congratulations on the birth and gift of your baby.
Lifting you up in prayer this morning Christina. I cannot imagine what you are feeling, but I do know that He is with you in your suffering. I am praying for you to have peace that surpasses all understanding as you allow God to envelop you in this time. God can do anything. Trust Him. Lean into Him. Love you sweet sister. And congrats on your son ♥️ a blessing indeed.
Praying for you and your husband, Christina
Thankful for this truth in this season. Sisters, please pray for me as I just gave birth to my first son and my husband is wanting to divorce. My heart is shattered and overjoyed and in need of so much prayer. He truly is Immanuel.