TOPIC: A New Identity“

Text:  Ezekiel 16:35-43

35. Wherefore, O harlot, hear the word of the LORD;

36. Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them;

37. Behold, therefore I will gather all thy lovers, with whom thou hast taken pleasure, and all them that thou hast loved, with all them that thou hast hated; I will even gather them round about against thee, and will discover thy nakedness unto them, that they may see all thy nakedness.

38. And I will judge thee, as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will give thee blood in fury and jealousy.

39. And I will also give thee into their hand, and they shall throw down thine eminent place, and shall break down thy high places; they shall strip thee also of thy clothes, and shall take thy fair jewels, and leave thee naked and bare.

40. They shall also bring up a company against thee, and they shall stone thee with stones, and thrust thee through with their swords.

41. And they shall burn thine houses with fire, and execute judgments upon thee in the sight of many women; and I will cause thee to cease from playing the harlot, and thou also shalt give no hire any more.

42. So will I make my fury toward thee to rest, and my jealousy shall depart from thee, and I will be quiet, and will be no more angry.

43. Because thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, but hast fretted me in all these things; behold, therefore I also will recompense thy way upon thine head, saith the Lord GOD; and thou shalt not commit this lewdness above all thine abominations.

KEY VERSE: Ezekiel 16:42

“So will I make my fury toward thee to rest, and my jealousy shall depart from thee, and I will be quiet, and will be no more angry.”

MESSAGE

In the “Mask Behind the Mask”, biographer Peter Evans says that actor Peter Sellers played so many roles that he sometimes was not sure of his own identity. Approached once by a fan who asked him, “Are you Peter Sellers?” Sellers answered briskly, “Not today” and walked on.

In the text for today, Israel played harlotry with strange nations by forming trade and other forms of alliance that were contrary to God’s plan with them. Israel would then be subjected to the same judgment as adulterous wives. God would unleash just judgment upon them, until the full measure of His judgment was complete. It would be completed only when they had completely given up on idolatrous religion. Although God declared judgment against idolatrous Israel, His mercy was manifested when He declared, “I will be quiet, and will be no more angry”.

Our God is merciful and compassionate. Although Rahab was a woman that made a living through immoral living, she desired a new life under the God of Israel. By faith, she entered into a covenant of deliverance with the Israeli spies and consequently, she and her household were saved. This singular act of faith secured her a new identity.

You can wear a new identity today by giving up on your sins and obtaining the favour of God. Regardless of your past and present condition, if you repent of your sins and have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, God will rewrite your story and grant you a new identity. It is up to you to decide.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
When you encounter Christ, expect a change!

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Chronicles 5-8

Daily Manna is the daily devotional of the Deeper Christian Life Bible Ministry (DCLM). It is an extraction of God’s Word designed to draw the sincere seeker closer to God on a daily basis through an insightful exposition and analysis of God’s Word.