God Is on Our Side!
“I am for you.” Ezekiel 36:9
Ezekiel 35:3 contains the very worst words the enemies of God can hear: Behold, . . . I am against thee. Chapter 36 has the very best words for the feeble saint: Behold, I am for you.
These words are a reminder that God’s purposes will be opposed. All which is not of God is against us. The devil is against us. The world is against us. Our own failings are against us. But God is for us. All which is of God is for us. God’s Word is for us. God’s mighty power is for us. God’s sovereignty is invincible. He will carry out His own purpose. On this account, Paul inquires, ‘Who can be against us?’ (Romans 8:31).
We are also reminded that God’s purposes will work to our ultimate advantage. In Romans 8:28 Paul argues, ‘We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.’ In Ezekiel 36 the prophet builds line upon line in obvious progression: ‘I will turn unto you’; ‘I will multiply men upon you’; ‘the wastes shall be builded’ (vv. 9, 10). Best of all, the God of Israel promises, ‘I will settle you after your old estates, and will do better unto you than at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I am the Lord’ (v. 11). The best is yet to be – all things working for good and His people knowing God as never before.
Finally, God’s purposes are related to His people. ‘For, behold, I am for you.’ The promise is irreversible. There is a message in this for Israel, too. The chapter is specifically addressed to them. God will bring His own people back to Himself. What a promise for the backslidden, the unworthy, the defeated, the discouraged! There is victory in Christ. ‘Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?’ (Rom. 8:35). ‘Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect?’ (v. 33). ‘Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us’ (v. 37).
Quote: All of God’s giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on His being with them. – J. Hudson Taylor
Daily devotions are from the book “Eagle’s Wings” published by the Free Presbyterian Church. © Free Presbyterian Church 1991- All Rights Reserved.
The Lord's Day Services
Sunday, August 22, 2021
11:00 a.m. Morning Worship – Pastor Saunders
5:50 p.m. Pre-service Prayer
6:30 p.m. Evening Worship – Pastor Saunders
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Wednesday, August 25th
7:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer
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Sunday, August 29th
11:00 a.m. Morning Worship – Pastor Saunders
5:50 p.m. Pre-Service Prayer
6:30 p.m. Evening Worship – Pastor Saunders
Wednesday, September 1st
7:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer
Mr. Tony Puccini
Please continue to remember Mrs. Grace Puccini and her family in prayer as they mourn the loss of Mr. Puccini. For those who were unable to attend the memorial service in person, you can view the memorial service program by clicking here.
Behind the Wall
Behind the Wall is a ministry of the Toronto Free Presbyterian Church. We aim to assist parents by reinforcing the Gospel message being taught at home to their children. Each episode contains a Bible story, scripture memorization, and a children’s song. Please pray for this ministry, that God will use it for His glory.
A ten-week mini-series on the 10 Commandments will be available each week during the summer. A new lesson will be uploaded at 2:00 p.m. each Sunday. You can view new and archived episodes by clicking here.
The Shorter Catechism
1. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it. (Ephesians 5:28a, 29a).
2. Defend the poor and fatherless. Deliver the poor and needy. (Psalms 82:3a, 4a). The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me. (Job 29:13a).
The Children's Catechism - History
Q23: How long was Noah in the Ark?
A: A year and ten days.
