Title: Completing Repentance/Topic: Restitution

Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 33; Ezekiel 34; Ezekiel 35; Revelation 18

Scripture: Ezekiel 33:14-16
14 And if I say to the wicked man, 'You will surely die,' but he then turns away from his sin and does what is just and right- 15 if he gives back what he took in pledge for a loan, returns what he has stolen, follows the decrees that give life, and does no evil, he will surely live; he will not die. 16 None of the sins he has committed will be remembered against him. He has done what is just and right; he will surely live.

Observation: These verses contain a part of repentance that is rarely taught to people today; the act of restitution. When it is in our ability to make right the wrongs we have done, we are to do so. There are some things that we cannot go back and make right, and the grace of God covers those things when we repent of them. But God clearly expects us to make right what we can. It shows we are truly serious about change. If we have stolen, we must do all we can to repay it back. If we have bad-mouthed a person to others, we confess and correct our words. If we have lied, we confess to those to whom we have been untruthful. We show God and others we are serious about change when we finish our words of repentance with acts of restitution. According to James, faith without works is dead . Repentance without restitution is like faith without works. The hard work of restitution makes it much more likely that we will not sin again and also is a witness to others that we have truly changed and are serious about serving God.

Application: When I sin, I need to repent completely; with words and actions. The two need to work together prove my sincerity and so that the Spirit has freedom to work deliverance in my life from my personal strongholds of sin. My obedience frees the Spirit to work in my life for my benefit, working redemption and sanctification into my soul.

Prayer: Father, I pray that I would listen carefully to the Spirit for instructions about any acts of restitution that I need to make. I want to be fully obedient to you. Sanctify me Lord and restore my soul. May I become more and more like you.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: With a Little Help from His Friends/Topic: Humility and Counsel

Today’s Reading: Daniel 1; Daniel 2; Revelation 16

Scripture: Daniel 1:17; Daniel 2:17-19, 23
17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

17 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 18 He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven

23 I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king."

Observation: Daniel has the gift of interpreting dreams and visions, but he understands that he cannot function in his giftings alone. He demonstrates the same understanding that Paul speaks of in the book of 1 Corinthians 12 when Paul explains to us that we are all parts of the same Body and that none of us can function properly independently of the other members of the Body. Daniel seeks the prayers of his friends and gives them credit for the answer being given to him. Daniel shows wonderful humility in seeking the counsel and support of others and also in giving God and his friends credit for his success. He does not allow himself to become arrogant when God does miraculous work through him.

Application: Oh that we all would take this lesson to heart and seek the counsel of other wise people in the church when we are facing big decisions or tough circumstances! Our American culture is one that honors the “self-made man” and reveres individuality and independence. It makes it more difficult for American Christians to learn to embrace the wisdom and humility shown by Daniel in these passages. We would save ourselves much grief if we would learn to function under the wise counsel of godly people that God has put in our lives.

Prayer: Father, I thank you for the many wise people you have put into my life over the years to help me make good decisions. I also thank you for dear, godly friends who support me in prayer. May I be the same kind of support to others when they need prayer and counsel. Help me to grow in wisdom and to always function under godly authority.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.