Scattered remnant
Day 408, Tuesday, Sept. 23
Ezekiel Chapters 4 – 6
Through images of a model of Jerusalem and of taking on the sin of the peoples of Israel and Judah, God foretells that the punishment of his people will be significant but not unlimited—it will last for a time but not forever.
God then says that the people will be divided into three parts. Some will perish inside the city of Jerusalem, some will perish outside its walls, and some will be scattered.
It is from among those who are scattered that God’s people will have a future.
In 6:8-10 we read, “But I will spare some, for some of you will escape the sword when you are scattered among the lands and nations. Then in the nations where they have been carried captive, those who escape will remember me…. And they will know that I am the Lord; I did not threaten in vain to bring this calamity on them.”

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Tuesday meditation

Job 37:14-24
“Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders. Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash? Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge? You who swelter in your clothes when the land lies hushed under the south wind, can you join him in spreading out the skies, hard as a mirror of cast bronze?
“Tell us what we should say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness. Should he be told that I want to speak? Would anyone ask to be swallowed up? Now no one can look at the sun, bright as it is in the skies after the wind has swept them clean. Out of the north he comes in golden splendor; God comes in awesome majesty. The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress. Therefore, people revere him, for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart?”

Prayer focus
When we feel far from you, Lord, call us home.