God's Holy Fire: 'I Know What You Are Thinking'

Sunday, October 29, 2023

Then the Spirit of the LORD came on me [Ezekiel], and he told me to say: "This is what the LORD says: That is what you are saying, you leaders in Israel, but I know what is going through your mind."
— Ezekiel 11:5 NIV

Key Thought

The Spirit of the Lord brings us the message of God. The Spirit inspired God's messengers to convince us and convict us with God's truth. In this instance, God's Spirit speaks through Ezekiel and reminds God's people that he knows what they are thinking — God knows their thoughts and plans and desires — and the Spirit inspired Ezekiel to speak God's message to them. God knows that what the people are saying is not really what they think, believe, and do. Ezekiel is reminding them (and us) that when God speaks through the Spirit, he speaks the relevant truth. It is relevant because God knows our situation and he knows our hearts. We can't play tricks on God or manipulate him. We can't play games or put on a religious show and expect God to be pleased. He knows when our religious words are hollow and false. The words of God's Spirit-inspired prophets speak past our facades and into our hearts because the LORD knows what is going through our hearts and minds!

Today's Prayer

O Father who searches hearts and minds, purify my heart. Lead me to your truth and empower me to live it. Convict me and empower me by the gracious presence of your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

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Illustration

Illustration of Ezekiel 11:5 NIV — Then the Spirit of the LORD came on me [Ezekiel], and he told me to say: "This is what the LORD says: That is what you are saying, you leaders in Israel, but I know what is going through your mind."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

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