Ezekiel 17:22-23, 24c

Have you ever made a promise and then broke it? That question gets personal when you think of the promises you have made to your spouse, your children or your best friend, and how many times you have let them down.  That question gets more personal when you think of the promises you have made to God, and how many times you have failed him.  It is one big reason we struggle with so much guilt.

Did you notice in the reading from Ezekiel how many promises your Sovereign Lord makes to you?  He declares, “I myself will… I will… I will do it.”  He promised to raise a small shoot into a great tree that would provide shelter and shade for all who nest in that tree.  The small shoot that becomes a great tree is Jesus Christ, your Savior from all sin.  The birds who nest in the tree are all the people who come to Jesus for rest from their guilt.  The shade and shelter that the tree provides is the loving and merciful care that Jesus gives to you.

Now if you really want to see the impact of these words in Ezekiel, look at them this way: For every time you said “I will” to your Lord but didn’t, your Lord said “I will” to you and did.   And you can see what he did on another tree.  He died for you on the cross. From that tree, there is forgiveness for all your broken promises.  From that tree, there is a promise kept that leads to eternal life.

Remain in Jesus.