Verse
‘I’ll give you a new heart. I’ll put a new Spirit in you. I’ll cut out your stone heart and replace it with a red-blooded, firm-muscled heart. Then you’ll obey my statutes and be careful to obey my commands. You’ll be my people! I’ll be your God!’
Thought
God had to deal with a rebellious and stubborn people in Ezekiel’s day — I guess that’s not so much different than many times in history. Yet God was promising a day that their hard-hearts would be replaced with a life-giving heart, transformed by a new spirit, his Holy Spirit. In that time, under that covenant, obedience would come from the transforming power of his Spirit as it called and empowered them to obedience through knowing the will of God. In the New Testament, 2 Corinthians 3 and Romans 8 both talk about this happening with the gift of Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit. That Spirit can make us new and transform us to be like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18) as we live according to the Spirit (Romans 8:1-4).
Prayer
O Father God, please work your will in my heart and empower me to live before you with holiness, honor, and obedience through the transforming power of your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
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