Daily Reading
Daily Thought
“If the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned…” ~Ezekiel 33:6
Ezekiel was that watchman for the house of Israel, with the duty to speak what God has spoken. The people have a duty, as well–to listen and respond. “And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain” (Ezekiel 33:31). The people failed at their duty.
It was Rickey’s first time in Big Church. He watched everything his dad did and copied him. When Dad stood, he stood. When Dad sang, he sang. When Dad put a bill in the offering, he gave a quarter he’d brought from his bank. When Dad opened the Bible, he pulled his out of his pocket.
The service ended, at last, and now for the weekly review on the drive home in the family van. “Sermon was pretty good today. Got lost in the middle.” “Music was okay, except for the last song. That was bad.” “I liked the solo.”
“All in all,” chimed in Rickey, “you gotta admit, Dad, it was a pretty good show for a dollar.” He’d watched everything.
“You are very entertaining to them, like someone who sings love songs with a beautiful voice or plays fine music on an instrument. They hear what you say, but they don’t act on it!” ~Ezekiel 33:32
The church is to gather on Sundays, not as an audience, but as actors prepared to perform, to listen to God and respond with a grand offering of worship and willingness.
Daily Prayer
Heavenly Father, everyday You give me a gift. A new day. May I open it each morning with anticipation, use it with joy, and thank You when I lay down at the end. May my life be a wonderful offering to You.
I pray that Sundays will not be the day of worship, but the weekly culmination of 7 days of worship.
Amen
Daily Question
What are some examples in your life that you listen to God?