Day 328: Short & Dry Trees

Ephesians 6; Ezekiel 17; Isaiah 46

There is so much in this chapter of Ephesians that is so valuable! Parent-child relationships should be characterized with instruction in The Lord, gentleness, and obedience. Workers should work for their bosses/masters as if working for The Lord, doing what God wants with their whole heart. Bosses should treat their workers with respect. Put on the armor of God, because that day of evil IS coming (no question about it) and being prepared with God's armor means we will still be standing when it is all over.

And then on a sort of special note, the only weapon we need is the Word of God. I'd noticed this before, but what a powerful statement in our world filled with "self-help" books. Barnes & Noble is FULL of them. This scripture is saying we don't need strategies, mantras, cultivated skills, etc. God's Word is all it will take to fight and defend against the evil that matters. Because we should not be fighting against one another and our battles are often of the unseen--attitudes, addictions, fears, temptations--God's Word is the most powerful thing to overcome and be victorious.

God tells Ezekiel that he can "bring down tall trees and help short ones grow. I dry up green trees and make dry ones green." God gives life where there was none, he helps things grow that seemed to have no capability to do so. And he can do the opposite. God doesn't have to depend on anything to provide for us, to help us. He is capable of all of this without the permission of anyone or anything. What is most powerful to me is that he can make the "dry ones green." Our lives that seem so britle, worthless, broken, lifeless, can be made rich and flowing with life and goodness at the word of our God. How awesome is that?!

I love the care God reveals in this passage in Isaiah: "Since the day you were born, I have carried you along. I will still be the same when you are old and gray, and I will take care of you. I created you. I will carry you and always keep you safe." Fabulous. God doesn't change. We can trust in him because he is the same today and for eternity. He is characterized by love and justice now and forever.