READING: Ezekiel 9-12
What God does in making us His children is nothing less than mysterious and amazing. He is a miracle-working God who makes that miracle real and personal in our own lives. We see that truth foreshadowed in today’s reading, when God promised to change the hearts of those Hebrews who trusted Him. To the prophet Ezekiel, He gave these words: “And I will give them one heart and put a new spirit within them; I will remove their heart of stone from their bodies and give them a heart of flesh so they may follow My statutes, keep My ordinances, and practice them. Then they will be My people, and I will be their God” (Ezek 11:19-20).
What God promised to do for His people in Ezekiel’s writing is extended to us as believers. He takes rebellious people with hard hearts and gives us a soft heart to follow Him. He gives us a new spirit. We can live faithfully in obedience because He does something in our heart that we cannot do for ourselves. He breaks us. Softens us. Melts us, even. He makes us new.
When I read this text, I think of my dad. He died almost four years ago, but three years prior to that, he trusted Jesus to save him. I remember times in my early years when he was a hard man, prone to violent anger. At times I feared him; at other times, I was bitter toward him. You just never knew when he was going to erupt. But . . . then Jesus changed his heart. Rage turned to love. Ferocity turned to gentleness. Internal conflict turned to undeniable peace. Simmering anger turned to overwhelming affection. Emotional distance turned to hugs.
God had done in my dad what only He can do: make a heart of stone a heart of flesh.
Maybe your heart is still a heart of stone. I don’t assume that everyone who reads these devotions already has a personal relationship with Jesus. If you don’t have that relationship, you’re missing the miracle of heart change that God wants to work in your life. It doesn’t matter how rotten your sin has been or how hard your heart has become over the years. You cannot out-sin the grace of God. He who melted the heart of idolaters in Ezekiel’s day wants to do the same in your life today.
So, turn to Him by confessing your sinfulness to Him, choosing to turn from your sin, and trusting Him to save you and lead you. Just talk to Him now, and give Him your life. I promise you you’ll be amazed when He gives you a new heart.
And by the way, contact me through this website and let me know if you do follow Christ. I’d be honored to pray for you as you start this journey as a new brother or sister in Christ.
ACTION STEPS:
- If you’re a believer, thank God for turning your heart of stone into a heart of flesh.
- If you’re not a believer yet, turn to God today.
PRAYER: “God, make my heart what You want it to be. I turn to You now, forsaking my sin and trusting You to work a miracle in my life.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Ezekiel 13-15
