SWHW Bible Reading Plan: August 2021Sample

Top Takeaway from Emily Copeland:

I have a history of ignoring God, and He has a history of still finding a way to extend grace and mercy to me.

When I fail to speak about Jesus to people in need, He still has the grace to bring another person in need across my path. When I fall out of a daily rhythm of reading His Word and praying, He still has the grace to meet me when I come back, all the while, meeting my daily needs. He sustains me, protects me, and is faithful to me when I'm most unworthy of it all.

In Ezekiel 20, Ezekiel is prophesying, and God is speaking through him that God gave the Israelites mercy and a new chance when they didn't deserve it. 

"For on my holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord, there in the land all the people of Israel will serve me, and there I will accept them. There I will require your offerings and your choice gifts along with all your holy sacrifices." Ezekiel 20:40

God extended mercy, not because He found a sliver of worth in them, but because of His name and for His name alone. They were regular customers of poor choices, unfaithfulness, and self-obsessed living.

"You will know that I am the Lord, when I deal with you for My name's sake and not according to your evil ways and your corrupt practices, you people of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord." (verse 44)

How would our lives change if God didn't have to get our attention in spite of our failure to obey and stay faithful? 

How would our heart change if our first goal is to seek God and His plan first, rather than realizing our disconnect when it's too late? 

When we understand that God cares enough about us to make us a reflection of Him and not just a reflection of ourselves, then our life will change because we will find gratitude where selfishness used to be. We will find an overwhelming desire for worship where pride used to exist. 

And when the difficult seasons come? We will know that they are filled with purpose. We will know that in some way, God is protecting us, fighting for our hearts, and getting the glory for it all. 

Notice in Ezekiel 20:40 that God spoke directly to the Israelites, telling them that they would once again worship Him. Not everyone would come back to God, but those who experienced God's mercy and forgiveness realized that no pleasure would compare to unconditional love like His. 

God is extending His grace and mercy to you today. He sees your life and He knows your heart. Nothing you've done can keep Him from loving you, and in His love, He wants you to know His grace and mercy too. He gives it without expectation and knowing full well the charges we have on our spiritual account. Our life's purpose is fulfilled when He gets the glory for the good, the bad, and the ugly of our life. Let Him lead, accept the mercy He is giving, and live close to Him today!

God, You deserve the glory that You are after. Like the Israelites whom You pursued even when they would have been labeled a "lost cause," You see me the same way. You pursue my heart and expect that the life You created in me will reflect Your goodness for everyone else to see. Let Your name be the defining name in my life. Get the glory for my life today. I love You. Amen.