Removing the Pressure

Read Ezekiel 36:1 through 39:29

How does spiritual transformation take place? The prophecy in Ezekiel 36 delivers good news: It does not come from you. God makes those changes. Relax—the pressure is off of you.

God does not call us to come to Him changed. Instead, He calls us to come to Him as we are and allow Him to make the necessary changes in our lives.

Note how often “I”—meaning God—begins sentences in Ezekiel 36. God puts the action on Himself.

God does the purifying. God provides the new heart. God places the Spirit within us. God does not expect us to do those things, but often we place those expectations on ourselves.

After God tells Israel what He will do, He then tells them what they will do—return to live in the land He had already blessed them with and be His people (Ezekiel 36:28).

Our responsibility is to simply decide to return to the relationship with Him that He designed for us to enjoy. Within that relationship, changes occur. And within that relationship, the presence of the Holy Spirit motivates us to obey God’s commands.

It’s that simple. So relax!

Thought for Today: Make your relationship with God your top priority and allow Him to direct your life.

Quicklook:Ezekiel 36:24–32