God's Way

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 34

And I will make them and the places all around my hill a blessing, and I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing. (Ezekiel 34.26)

Devotional Thought: My son-in-law, Aaron, operates several patio furniture stores in South Carolina.  The sales staff is trained in the unique culture and values of the parent company Palm Casual.  To be successful, they must work within the system.  I've seen several people come and go because they could not or would not reprogram their thinking to "The Palm Casual Way."  I've also seen employees who have adopted that way and thrived, bringing success to themselves and satisfaction to their customers.

God, speaking through the prophet Ezekiel, reminded the people of Israel that he had a way, too.  And, if the people followed his way, he would...

·       Bless them.  Centuries before, God had spoken to Israel's spiritual father, Abraham: "Go ... to the land that I will show you.  And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you" (Genesis 12.1-2).  God has not rescinded that promise of blessing for those who follow him.

·       Bless those around them.  God had also told Abraham: "You will be a blessing...  and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (Genesis 12.2-3).  God desires not only to bless us, but through us to bless others.  Are you a blessing to those around you?

·       Bless them in season.  Just as Abraham had to wait for the right season for the promise to be fulfilled, we also must be patient as God works in the seasons of our lives.  "For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay" (Habakkuk 2.3).

Live God's way.  Be blessed.  Bless others.  Wait for God's timing.

Prayer: Jesus, you are the way and the truth and the life.  As I live within your blessings, help me to be a blessing to others, spreading your love and light.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 46.8-11

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.

10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! ”

11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah