This morning I came to Ezekiel 48.  I glanced at the chapter and saw that it contained the division of the Promised Land for the twelve tribes of Israel.  I thought, “Lord, what could there be in the division of land that could possibly minister to me?”  God nudged me to read it, so I did.  He had an amazing message for me!

This wonderful chapter clearly showed me that God is a God of provision.  He had planned long ago for this land to belong to Israel.  Here He provided a section of each part of the land for each tribe of Israel.  No one was left out.  Not only was no one left out, He also provided a special portion near the sanctuary for the sons of Zadok, the consecrated priests.  Why did God do this?  He was honoring their past loyalty to Him, when the rest of Israel, including the Levities, went astray.  So, not only did God provide land for every tribe and person in Israel, He also honored those who had faithfully followed Him.

God is a God of order.  God set the boundaries for each tribe.  He listed each tribe and the portion of land that they were to have.  Each tribe had a specific strip of land from the eastern to the western boundary, starting at the northern boundary and working south.  In the middle of the land, God allotted a place for His sanctuary with land around it for the priests.  He had land for a city with land around it for producing food for those working in the city.  Land was also specified for the prince.  All that God had planned had a specific place and measurement.  Everything was orderly and easily met the needs of His people.

God named His city, “The Lord is There.”  God was present in His city.  He had organized it, He had provided for every one of His tribes and people, and He was there.  

God is the same today (Hebrews 13:8).  He is a God of provision.  He graciously provides for our needs:  the earth on which to live, air, water, food, clothing, shelter, relationships, and forgiveness, just to name a few.  He is a God of order.  Each day He gives us morning and evening.  Each year He changes the seasons.  And, if we will allow Him, He will bring order into our lives.  God is present, but we need to ask Him to be our Lord to be aware of His presence.  He wants to be an intimate, loving, guiding part of our lives.  Are we willing to accept His presence into our lives?