From: November 8, 2023
“Repent, and turn from your sins. Don’t let them destroy you! Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit” (Ezekiel 18:30-31 NLT).
God warned Israel through His prophet Ezekiel to repent before their sins destroyed them. For although sin may seem pleasant at first, it ultimately results in suffering and death. The sin itself brings its own judgment.
Sin begins as an attitude of rebellion in the heart against God. Yet God calls those who would repent and turn to Him to find a new heart and new spirit. This new heart and spirit can only be found in Jesus.
For God in His grace offers a way out through Jesus, His Son. Jesus took sin’s suffering, separation and death, so that we could receive a new heart and “Turn back and live!”
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are so thankful that You have given us a new heart and a new spirit through faith in Jesus. You have replaced our hard, rebellious hearts with tender, obedient hearts. We always want to live to please You. Strengthen us to follow You this day in all things. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: November 8, 2022
THE SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE TABERNACLE
The Holy Spirit was the inspiration for understanding the meaning of the Tabernacle and how it pointed to its fulfillment in Christ. For the place called the “Most Holy Place” is a reference to the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle, wherein the High Priest was only able to enter once a year on the Day of Atonement, which is called Yom Kippur. This way to approach God was only open in this limited way.
Yet, it pointed to a day when it would be made “freely open” to all through Christ Jesus, our Great High Priest, who paid for our sins with His own blood. For when Christ died on the cross, the veil, the curtain of separation, was torn and the way to the Father was opened (Matt.27:51).
As a result everyone who trusts in Christ may enter with “boldness, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil” (Heb. 10:19-20). Therefore, let us draw near to God with full assurance, knowing that Christ has paved the way for our access to the Father.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are able to call You Father because of Jesus, Your Son. For we are in Him and He is in us. We therefore come into Your presence with confidence, not in ourselves, but in Your provision for us through Christ Jesus. Thank You for this great salvation and this wonderful access! Forgive us for taking it for granted. Fill us afresh with Your Spirit today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: November 8, 2016
After warning Israel that each individual would be judged for their own sin and that death would be the result, God revealed His heart. He found no pleasure in having to carry out judgment. He warned them, so that they would turn and live. He did not want to them to suffer death. This was the message he gave the prophet Ezekiel to preach, yet Israel would not hear. This is why God sent His Son, that we might turn from our sins in repentance and turn to Him through Christ. For God is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9).
From: November 8, 2015
The Tabernacle with all its sacrifices and rituals was “symbolic” for the “perfect tabernacle not made with hands” (Heb.9:11), which is the Christ. It pointed to His fulfillment, which took place when He offered His own blood as redemption for our sins. The sacrificial system with its rules and regulations is no longer necessary. It has been replaced with Christ. The old covenant has been fulfilled and replaced by a new covenant. The old covenant which could not perfect the “conscience,” has been replaced with the blood of Jesus, which can.
From: November 8, 2014
The two rooms of the Tabernacle were symbolic of the spiritual separation existing between God and man. Only priests could enter the first room called the Holy Place. And only the High Priest could enter the second room called the Most Holy Place, and then only once a year on the Day of Atonement. Yet, when Christ died on the cross, the curtain of separation was rent and the way to the Father was opened. Because of Jesus we may approach the throne of God, clothed in the righteousness of Christ. Jesus has opened the way for us, not by having us keep religious “regulations,” but by believing in Him and receiving Him in relationship as Lord and Savior.