The cyclical theme that remains constant in Ezekiel 20 is a theme of punishment and then redemption ("for my name's sake"). Israel constantly rebels against God yet He delivers them not because they are good but for his own name's sake (v. 9, 14, 22). God sums it up best when He says "I will show myself holy among you in the sight of the nations" (v. 41). God's glory is at stake in how he deals with Israel. He cannot allow his name to be profaned to a certain degree (v. 9, 14, 22). Moses understood well the concepts of God's glory and God's holiness and how God's name needed to be upheld and honored among the nations (Exodus 32:10-14). James 4:5 teaches us that God is a "jealous" God that wants and deserves first place in our lives. John Piper says, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him." As a believer in Christ, where is your satisfaction level at with God?
Prayer is a powerful thing! James 5:16-18 reminds us that prayer is real and that it does work. Do you keep a list of prayer requests you have for God and answers you have seen Him bring about to those requests? If not, try keeping a journal and then periodically revisit past prayer requests that have been answered to remind you of God's faithfulness!
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