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Ezekiel 37:24-28

“‘My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd. They will follow my laws and be careful to keep my decrees. They will live in the land I gave to my servant Jacob, the land where your ancestors lived. They and their children and their children’s children will live there forever, and David my servant will be their prince forever. I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant. I will establish them and increase their numbers, and I will put my sanctuary among them forever. My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people. Then the nations will know that I the Lord make Israel holy, when my sanctuary is among them forever.’”

Reflect

Have you heard the phrase, “I’ve found my people!” It’s used to convey a sense of belonging, or a place to be understood, just the way you are. In this passage hearing God say, “I will be their God, and they will be my people” is a comfort if we know we are included in that group! I wonder what it would take to have more people say this about us at First Presbyterian?

We also hear God promising “a covenant of peace” with Israel that will be “an everlasting covenant.” As we look at the world around us, it seems that promised peace has never come. But when we realize that God’s peace comes from within, and that God’s “dwelling place” will be with us, we can begin to find it, if we seek it.

Prayer

Lord, God, thank you for claiming us as your people! Help us to make room in our hearts for your peace, and help us do our part to share your covenant of peace with all. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Betsy Dishman