November 8

Ezekiel 18:1-19:14; Hebrews 9:1-10; Psalm 106:32-48; Proverbs 27:10

"Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD.  Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?" (Ez. 18:23).  And again God pleads, "Repent and live!" (vs. 32).

We see this same posture in our psalm today.  "Many times he delivered them....He took note of their distress;...he remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented" (Ps. 106:43-45). 

This, too, is the heart of our God (to add to what Mary mentioned yesterday).

I hope you've seen this tender desire this year.  We're coming toward the end of our journey together through The One Year Bible, and we have read the history of the nation of Israel.  We've watched them remember and forget, while all the time God is faithful to his covenant of love toward them.  

We've walked with Jesus during his time on this earth, wooing sinners to himself with this same message of repent and believe.  We have watched his apostles work and preach and write in his name, and we've seen the birth of God's church, meant to continue sharing the message of "turn and live."

This message is for you today, and it is for me.  God calls us to repent and live; repent from our anger, our gossip, our envy, our pride, and turn toward the way of Jesus in gentleness, kindness, thankfulness, humility.  And God puts us to work, to set our shoulders to the call of repentance; we are meant to let others know the power of turning and believing.

Lord God, we are infinitely grateful that you called each of us to repentance and to life. May we pass this good news onto others, so that the world may know your heart of love for them.  Amen.

- Sarah Marsh

How did God speak to you in Scripture today? Click here to share your reflections on God's word or read past posts. We'd love to hear from you.