Day 324: Looking for Love in the Right Places

Today’s Scripture: Ezekiel 43:5

Central Thought: Our heart’s desire for intimacy is only fulfilled in fellowship with God.

The inner court: don’t we all yearn to belong, to be a part of the inner circle, to be an intimate part of—something? The desire to belong is placed in our hearts by God. But when we attempt to find intimacy and belonging in the wrong places, it leads to all kinds of trouble. Kids join violent gangs or form relationships with cliques that lead them astray. Adults fall into unhealthy relationships and ill-advised marriages.

The real fulfillment for our desire for intimacy and belonging comes only by a deep personal relationship with God. While morality, ethics, and Christian service are the fruits of a Christian life, they fail to satisfy on their own. Apart from a relationship and intimacy with God, they are mere religion and legalism.

The heart of the gospel is the restored privilege we have to enter the inner court, the Holy of Holies, and fellowship freely with our Father. Ezekiel speaks of the earthly temple, the Jewish tabernacle, but we are now the temple that houses the glory of the Lord. Let us be among those who dwell in the inner court, and whose lives are thereby filled with His glory.

Devotional Prayer: Lord, I desire to enter Your court today, to find rest and fulfillment in fellowship with You.

Today’s Bible Reading: Ezekiel 42:1-43:27; James 5:1-20; Psalm 119:1-16; Proverbs 28:6-7