A good "Word" for today

Devotion: Proverbs 31 Ministries

“When the people of the land come before the LORD at the appointed feasts, whoever enters by the north gate to worship is to go out the south gate; and whoever enters by the south gate is to go out the north gate. No one is to return through the gate by which he entered, but each is to go out the opposite gate.” Ezekiel 46:9 (NIV 1984)

As soon as my eyes opened I knew it was going to be one of “those” days. I think that saying, “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy” was created for days like this. I was sad, disappointed, frustrated and empty.
But I couldn’t put my finger on why I felt all of these emotions. I just knew I had to get out of the house before everyone woke up and my feelings steered our day in the wrong direction.

I put on my tennis shoes and started out the front door. Though unsure of where I was going to run, I was certain of the length: far! Far enough for me to come back with a different perspective. What I needed was to get alone with Jesus, to have Him fill me, and exchange my negative emotions with His peace, truth and life.
As I started my run, old thoughts poured into my head. You are not beautiful. You are not special. Your life doesn’t count. After years of reading, studying and even teaching the Truth, it was hard to believe I still struggled with these dark thoughts.

As lies poured in, I remember scriptures stored in my mind and heart. He sees me as beautiful. He says He is wild about me. He is more than enough for me. He is all I need.

Mulling over these precious promises from God’s Word, tears began to pour. This is what I needed.
I didn’t need more words of affirmation from my husband. I didn’t need another pat on the back from a friend. I needed a new outpouring of love from my Love. I needed to be reminded of who He says I am, to give up the old lies and replace them with His Truths.

When we come into God’s presence, He fills us. The Lord changes us so that we are not the same as we were when we came to Him. Ezekiel 46:9 represents this exchange of old for new. The people of Israel were told when they came into the temple area to worship, they were to enter through one gate and exit through the opposite gate.

So the same should be true with us; we are “not to go back as we came, but more holy, and heavenly, and spiritual” (Matthew Henry). As we enter into our special times with God, we need to come out the “opposite gate,” different than the way we went in.
After an hour of running, crying and talking to God, I was not the same when I returned home. Now, I was ready. Restored into a vessel that God could use. Being with Jesus had changed me.

Dear Lord, I need You today. Living this life sometimes drains me and leaves me empty. As I come through Your gates and into Your presence, change me. Pour Your life and heart into me so that as I leave through the “opposite gate,” I am not the same woman as when I came in. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.