Today’s Reading:
Read Ezekiel 9:9; 10:1-18; 11:14-24
For fun today, create a cloud picture. Use some cotton balls and a glue stick and create a cloud image on a piece of construction paper.
What do you remember about the significance of the cloud in the early story of the Israelites? When the Israelites were leaving Exodus, they knew where to go by following a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Remember, the cloud was a representation of God’s spirit leading them. When they built the tabernacle, God’s presence would rest over the tabernacle, and they would know that was happening by the presence of a cloud. (Exodus 40:34-38) Later, when King Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem, the cloud of God’s presence rested over the temple. (I Kings 8:10-11)
Ezekiel’s visions in our reading today show us the sad reality that God’s presence was going to leave the Temple and ultimately, Jerusalem. The disobedience of the people had been so great that it was going to lead to God’s presence leaving them. Ezekiel saw the cloud lift and leave the temple and then he saw the cloud move away from Jerusalem.
Application/Prayer:
Thank God today that we can rest in the truth that He never leaves us! Hebrews 13:5 tells us that God will not leave us nor forsake us. Ask God to help you remember to be grateful for that truth and also aware that He is with you always!
August Memory Verse:
“Listen, Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”
Using the daily reading prompts from George H. Guthrie’s Read the Bible for Life, here’s how to use this devotional:
- Bring your Bible! Your kids need to see that everything you are reading to them or learning about comes from an actual Bible!
- Each day starts with a reading prompt. Read the selection as a family. If your kids are readers, encourage them to read along with you.
- After you’ve read the passage, read the short devotional thought that goes along with each passage.
- Prayer and application are important any time we read God’s word! After each devotional, there is a challenge to help apply what your family has read that day.
- There is a reading for six days of the week. The last reading of the week is a Gospel Conversation Prompt to help you connect the reading from the week with God’s plan for salvation.
Other Resources:
August memory verse coloring sheet
August Fill-in the blank activity