Scripture: Ezekiel 44: 6-7

 ⁶ You shall say to the rebellious ones, to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Enough of all your repulsive acts, O house of Israel! ⁷ In that you brought in foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in My sanctuary to pollute and profane it—My house—when you offered My bread, the fat, and the blood; and ^[b]they made My covenant void —this in addition to all your other repulsive acts.

Scripture Commentary: Enter God’s house with thanksgiving.

Go into God’s house with a pure heart. Worship and serve God to the best of your ability. Don’t go in with your own agenda or with intentions to have your own way. Unfortunately, we take our individual agendas to church, making God’s house a place of constant bickering.

The above verses tell us to see and hear God’s ordinances concerning His house. When we have a problem or just need to talk to God, we need to go to Him humbly, seeking Him with a sincere heart. Don’t approach Him for your personal gain. Ezekiel’s vision was for believers to prepare themselves both physically and spiritually to worship God.

We need to prepare ourselves to worship God reverently and properly. Don’t just go through the motions of ritual performance. Approaching our Holy God must not be taken lightly. Disobedience will lead to God leaving His house, ensuring destruction of the sanctuary. God is holy, perfect and blameless.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Ezekiel 44

Read Other Commentary From the Book of Ezekiel:

Is Your Heart Set on Idols or on God?

The Wicked Find No Favor With God

Scripture: Isaiah 40: 29-31

He gives strength to the weary, And to him who has no might He increases power. ³⁰ Even youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, ³¹ But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] Will gain new strength and renew their power; They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; They will run and not become weary, They will walk and not grow tired.

Scripture Commentary: God does not grow tired.

When I was young I felt like I could run and play all day and not grow tired. I was on the cross country team where we ran 2.5 miles. I played tennis, racketball and golf. As I grew older I would get tired and had to stop and rest. No matter our physical condition, our body has limitations. Both our physical and mental gifts can take us only so far before we have to rest and restore ourselves.

God’s power and strength never falters or diminishes.

God, our Creator, needs no rest. He is almighty. God’s power and strength never falters or diminishes. Through adversity, God is our source of comfort and encouragement. We are not immune to suffering but with God’s help and direction we will come through stronger.

God is without limit.

God is the good shepherd who protects His flock. We, His children, are limited in knowledge. We cannot fully understand God but He is not limited in His understanding of us.

His love is for all of us. That is why He is called the Great Shepherd, the Chief Shepherd, the Bread of Life, and The Light. He is the past, the present, and the future. He is everything – almighty!

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Isaiah 40

Read Other Commentary From the Book of Isaiah:

The Lord’s Glory Is Revealed

Call Upon the Lord and He Will Deliver You

Scripture: John 10: 1

“I assure you and most solemnly say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up from some other place [on the stone wall], that one is a thief and a robber.

Scripture Commentary: You can only enter the kingdom of God through Jesus Christ.

Most robbers won’t enter by the front door. If they do their intentions aren’t good. We come into contact with all types of people who have various intentions. Jesus gives truth and salvation to contrast the thief who only wants to harm or mislead you. What Christ offers is abundantly more full and eternal.

A self-centered person neither loves nor cares for you or anyone else. They are only out for themselves. Satan and his followers do what they do to enhance themselves.

Enter through the narrow gate that leads to eternal life.

Ezekiel 34:23 tells us of the Messiah, the good shepherd. Satan and his followers resent Jesus who stands at the gate of the pen protecting his flock. They know they can’t get at those who are protected. Jesus took away our sins when he died on the cross and rose on the third day. His protection is for eternity.

Christ’s death and resurrection are part of God’s plan for our salvation. Jesus gave his life for us on the cross. This was done by his consent. So when you follow Jesus, he leads you straight to his Father who sits on the heavenly throne.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scriptures Referenced:

John 10

Ezekiel 34

Read Other Commentary From the Book of John:

God Is the Beginning of Everything

Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled