Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 (The Message translation) (NRSV)
Read Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 (The Message translation) on biblegateway.com
Devotion
Ezekiel calls us to break from our previous patterns to embrace God's ways. The biblical word for that is repentance. Repentance is more than an emotional feeling of being sorry for our sins. It's about changing our lives, turning around and turning towards God, so we can live a new life. The Message translation of this passage puts it this way "So, turn around! Turn your backs on your rebellious living so that sin won't drag you down. Clean house."
That may sound like bad news if your house is immaculate and you have everything just the way you like it. But if your house is a mess and your life is out of control, cleaning up and clearing out can be a gift and a big relief. Some years ago we had to totally rearrange our living room for a small concert. As we were clearing the dust, dirt and clutter we had accumulated, it felt good to have the room emptied so we could start over again.
Repentance offers a promise: we are not stuck in the way our lives have been; a fresh start is possible. Ezekiel's call in our reading is not about beating ourselves up; it's the first step toward living a new life. "No more rebellions, please. Get a new heart! Get a new spirit!" That's an invitation, a word of grace and hope.
Prayer
Create in us new hearts and spirits, O God. Today and every day, teach us to turn around, to turn toward you and live. Amen.