Ezekiel
“Therefore say, ‘Thus says the LORD God: “I will gather you from the peoples, assemble you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.” ’ And they will go there, and they will take away all its detestable things and all its abominations from there. Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.” Ezekiel 11:17-20
Just before God’s glory departed, before the destruction came, God made a promise of restoration. He promised to gather them from all the countries and bring them back to the land of Israel.
As wicked and corrupt as Judah had become, God would not give up. Their hearts had become stone cold against God but God promised to give them a new spirit and a living heart that would love God and show it by keeping His commands and statutes.
God kept His promise! With their new, God given spirit and living heart they did loathe the evil of their former ways and returned to the Lord in repentance. Once again they were truly His people and the LORD was their God. He delivered them, brought them back to the promised land and blessed them as their God. They in turn were truly His people who walked in His statutes and kept His commandments.
We too are recipients of this amazing heart transplant. In spite of our rebellious nature, God has given us a new heart. He has put His own spirit within us. He is now our God. May we show the world with our lives that we are His people and give all glory to Him.
Dear Father, I thank you for giving me a new heart and spirit. I truly sorrow over my sins and rejoice to be able to walk in your statutes and judgments. May I live as your child and trust in you as my God. Amen