Press the play button to watch the video above or press 'more' to read the transcript of the daily devotion below. Please read Ezekiel 33:10-19 (use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible).

‘Say to them, As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from their ways and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways; for why will you die, O house of Israel?’ Ezekiel 33:11

Lent is a time when we are reminded of the importance of turning back to God. Our passage from Ezekiel demonstrates that God deeply desires that the hearts of the Israelites are changed and turn back to Him. In our key verse above, God says ‘turn back’ three times. He wants Israel to live and not die. What was true for the Israelites is true for us as well. God wants us to turn back to Him. Sometimes life can be overwhelming: work, finances, relationships, family life, health issues and many other things can contribute to the stresses and strains of everyday existence. The Israelites must have felt like this too. After years of struggle: war, famine, and exile, they started to believe that God was not on their side.

Too often, the temptation is to try and live life on our own terms and in our own strength. When we do this we often get into a mess. It can seem like nothing is going our way. God can seem very distant. Like the exiles in our passage from Ezekiel, we may at times feel like God is punishing us, but that is not true. Do we ever ask ourselves, have I given my problem or my situation to God in prayer?

This passage actually reassures us of God’s love for all His children. God could easily have said “I have no pleasure in the death of the righteous.” He actually says, “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked”! That is wonderful and reassuring. It reminds us of the forgiving father in the parable of the Prodigal Son. The father welcomed back his errant son with open arms. Harsh judgment is not what God prefers, but we still need to repent. This passage shows us that even in the Old Testament, God can be seen as a merciful Father who hates to see His children suffer. In all of life’s challenges and joys, may we return to our Heavenly Father, and give our lives to God in prayer.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, help us to turn away from those things and those behaviours which separate us from Your love. May we return to You, and know the abundant life that Jesus promises. Amen.

The Revd Marc Wolverson, Vicar, St James’, Leyland.