Drawing Lines

Ezekiel 48:1
“Now these are the names of the tribes. From the north end to the coast of the way of Hethlon, as one goeth to Hamath, Hazarenan, the border of Damascus northward, to the coast of Hamath; for these are his sides east and west; a portion for Dan.”

Around the house in which I live, you will find yellow markers at the four corners of my property. These yellow markers mark the property lines that I own. These lines are the borders for which I am responsible. I don't look at these borders and get upset with my neighbor for having borders, because we both have borders by which we are to live within, and those borders help us to stay at peace with each other.

Approved by God

Ezekiel 43:27
“And when these days are expired, it shall be, that upon the eighth day, and so forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings upon the altar, and your peace offerings; and I will accept you, saith the Lord GOD.”

There is something inside of every child that wants their parents to be pleased with them. I have talked to several adults whose hearts are grieved because they want their parents to say that they are proud or pleased with them. It is simply a desire an adult has to get their parent’s approval and acceptance.

Who Should We Blame? ​​

Ezekiel 28:12
“Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.”

Many parents whose children have gone wayward wonder what they did to cause them to go to the world. They hear the excuses and blame of their children as to why they want nothing to do with Christianity. Sadly, many parents are brokenhearted because their children blame them for the way they were reared.

God Can Exalt

Ezekiel 17:24
“And all the trees of the field shall know that I the LORD have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the LORD have spoken and have done it.”

Israel’s best days seemed to be over. They had been taken captive, and the promise of David’s seed sitting on the throne forever seemed to have been diminished. All that was left in the country were the remnant of people whom the king of Babylon didn't want to take into his country. These people who were left were not the “talented” like those who were taken captive, and their hope of ever seeing their country coming back to glory was all but abated.

Get Ready to Build

2 Chronicles 2:1
“And Solomon determined to build an house for the name of the LORD, and an house for his kingdom.”

There is something exciting when you start building something. I worked in construction as a young man, and I’ve also been a part of building projects in a couple of churches, and there is always an excitement when the ground is broken and the project begins.

You Are a Provoker

1 Chronicles 21:1
“And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.”

Every action you perform is provoking someone’s personal conduct. If you have a good heart for the LORD, you will want your actions to provoke people to do right. Whether your actions seem little or big, seen or unseen, your actions are affecting someone’s life and the choices they make.

Producing a Godless Generation

2 Kings 21:9
“But they hearkened not: and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the children of Israel.”

One would think that Hezekiah’s children would turn out to be decent young people; however, Manasseh, his son, turned out to be one of the most godless kings in Judah’s history.

Pick Your Battles

1 Kings 22:31
“But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel.”

When the King of Syria chose to fight against Israel, he made a wise move in how he fought the battle. 

There is Hope in the Right Trust

Psalm 146:3
“Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.”

It is so easy to put trust in someone whom the LORD has or is using in a great way. Mankind tends to gravitate towards following man when the Scriptures clearly warn never to place your trust in man. If you allow man to be the one to whom you place your trust, then man will have the power to destroy you.

Keeping Your Master

1 Samuel 26:16
“This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the LORD liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the LORD'S anointed. And now see where the king's spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster.”

David was in the fight for his life when he happened to come across Saul lying in a trench with his security team asleep as well.