Those that were marked as belonging to God in Ezekiel's vision were those that were burdened by the sin of their people. God's people today are known for the very same thing. They are grieved not just for the sin of others, but for their own sin as well.Ezekiel 9:4 - And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

God needed His people to know that He had not spoken in vain. He had warned them that their sin would bring judgement if they didn't repent, they had refused to listen, and now God was going to do exactly what He said He would do. Today God still does not speak in vain, what He says He will do!Ezekiel 6:10 - And they shall know that I am the LORD, and that I have not said in vain that I would do this evil unto them.

God had a message for Ezekiel to give to his people, but first he needed to "eat this roll"...he needed to take that message in and make it a part of who he was before he could give it to others. We need to do the same with God's Word!Ezekiel 3:1-3 - Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll. And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness.

The mercies of God are because of his daily renewed compassions which demonstrate his great faithfulness!Lamentations 3:21-23 - This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

God does correct His people, but He always corrects in measure...just the right amount. Never in spite, never in revenge, but just enough to help us change our behavior.Jeremiah 46:28 - Fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith the LORD: for I am with thee; for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but correct thee in measure; yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished.

There are things that bring fear to our hearts, but we don't have to let that fear control how we live!Jeremiah 42:11- Be not afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom ye are afraid; be not afraid of him, saith the LORD: for I am with you to save you, and to deliver you from his hand.

Pride and faith don't go together...they are incompatible!Habakkuk 2:4 - Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

The story of Jehoiachin and his unlikely restoration is even more remarkable when you consider it as a picture of God's awesome grace in our lives!2 Kings 25:27-30 - And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, that Evil–merodach king of Babylon in the year that he began to reign did lift up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison; And he spake kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings that were with him in Babylon; And changed his prison garments: and he did eat bread continually before him all the days of his life. And his allowance was a continual allowance given him of the king, a daily rate for every day, all the days of his life.

The ends for God's people is always expected. This is God's promise for his people. No matter how difficult or out of control things might seem, God is working His expected end!Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

There's a great danger in experiencing healing slightly. It makes the immediate discomfort go away while never actually dealing with the root problem. Beware of religion that only provides slight healing... religion that makes you feel good without being willing to tell you the truth!Jeremiah 6:14 - They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.