Passage Read: Ezekiel 36-39
Meditation Verse: 39:29
Thought
The Lord hid His face from them because of all their evil deeds. They profaned the name of the Lord by their bloodshed and adultery and the multitude of their false gods. The first time He brings them back to their land, they will be ashamed of all their uncleanness and offenses, but the last time He brings them back, they will forget their shame and unfaithfulness. At that time He promised no longer to hide His face from them because He will pour out His Spirit on them. That is the big change, that is what makes them new and different, to never walk in wickedness again, to never offend the Lord and drive Him away.
Application
We are given the Spirit when we believe the Gospel, and the Spirit should change us so that we no longer walk in ways that offend the Lord. So believing the Gospel should change us from people who sin against the Lord into people who walk in the Lord's ways. Sadly, today it still requires a lot of retraining and changing of our thinking, so that we can recognize the Lord's ways, as opposed to our own ideas of good and right. Even with the Spirit dwelling in us, we still have a hard time recognizing His leading. We need the Word and godly teachers, but with the Spirit dwelling in us, we should be successfully growing and changing into His likeness. The Spirit dwells within me, so I can have confidence that I can attain to the Lord's likeness. I can grow and walk in His righteousness.