The Lord Is There
Day 425, Friday, Oct. 10
Ezekiel Chapters 47 – 48
As in Revelation and other places in scripture, the ideal earth in which we dwell in communion with God is a great city. It has gone by many names: the New Jerusalem, the City of God—but in Ezekiel it is called “The Lord Is There.”
In our modern American world we tend to think of the rural life as idyllic and close to God, but to the ancient mind they city represented safety and security, culture and wealth.
Even early Christianity thrived first in the great cities of the Roman Empire; it then spread outward to towns and villages and countryside.
It’s too frequent that contemporary U.S. Christians consider our cities as problems to be avoided rather than opportunities to be embraced. It is in cities where we have the greatest number of souls to be saved, the greatest resources to be tapped into and the greatest potential to be realized.

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Friday meditation

Psalms 5:1-12
Listen to my words, Lord, consider my lament. Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness; with you, evil people are not welcome. The arrogant cannot stand in your presence.
You hate all who do wrong; you destroy those who tell lies. The bloodthirsty and deceitful you, Lord, detest. But I, by your great love, can come into your house; in reverence I bow down toward your holy temple.
Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies—make your way straight before me. Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with malice. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they tell lies. Declare them guilty, O God! Let their intrigues be their downfall. Banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against you. But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

Prayer focus
God, make our city your city.