Today’s Reading:
Read Ezekiel 22:8; 23:35; 24:1-2, 25-27
Ezekiel lived in Jerusalem at the time of the first attack on that city by the Babylonian empire. Sadly, Ezekiel was taken captive and he became a refugee. He wrote the book of Ezekiel during that time period. When Ezekiel was taken captive, the Babylonians did NOT destroy Jerusalem. However, in the time when Ezekiel lived as a refugee, God’s message to him was quite clear that Jerusalem was going to be destroyed.
God’s message to the people through Ezekiel was one of frustration and disappointment. Have you ever disobeyed your parents? Often times when we disobey, the consequence that is the most challenging to face is the disappointment in the disobedience! I can remember as a little girl, any time I got in trouble, the part that was the hardest to accept was the fact that I had disappointed my parents. I’m a people pleaser! I did not like thinking that anyone was disappointed with my choices. Ezekiel’s message to the Israelites made it clear that God was disappointed with their choices. So much so that he was going to follow through with what He said was going to happen if they were disobedient. Jerusalem was going to be captured.
Application/Prayer:
Spend some time thanking God for his forgiveness today. Thank Him for the fact that even when we make mistakes and sin, He always forgives us. Remember God loves you and He wants what is best for you! Thank Him for that today.
September Memory Verse:
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him,and he will make your paths straight.”
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:
September memory verse coloring sheet