Day 320: Ezekiel 10-12; Hebrews 11:1-19

 “Therefore say, ‘This is what the Lord God says: Though I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.’ “Therefore say, ‘This is what the Lord God says: I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.’ “When they arrive there, they will remove all its abhorrent acts and detestable practices from it. I will give them integrity of heart and put a new spirit within them; I will remove their heart of stone from their bodies[g] and give them a heart of flesh, so that they will follow my statutes, keep my ordinances, and practice them. They will be my people, and I will be their God." (Ezekiel 11:16-20, CSB)

The remnant (the remaining faithful children of promise) features throughout the prophets. These are the people who so often suffer the consequences of the behavior of sinful people. Though they do not deserve the treatment they receive...in this case being carried off into exile...they remain faithful to God. The remnant become an encouragement to all who through the years have remained faithful, living in an obedient and loving relationship with God. He becomes their sanctuary when everything around them is not. He carries them through the opposition and persecution and makes a marvelous promise: "My Presence within you will change your heart, keep you from wrongdoing because I keep you in intimacy with me, and bring you home! I will possess you, and you will possess Me." As you and I continue our journey through God's Word, we see that God always comes through on His promises! So, we can hold on and be a people of faith. What is faith? I'm glad you asked: "Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. For by this our ancestors were approved." (Hebrews 11:1-2, CSB). Hold on! God is faithful!!