God Gives You A New Heart
Backgrounder on Ezekiel 7-11: In a series of visions, Ezekiel foresees the what, why and how of God’s judgment upon Judah. The What: total destruction of Jerusalem and the departure of God’s glory from the temple. The Why: generations of idolatry, wickedness & spiritual indifference. The How: through the cruel Baby- lonians, God’s agents of judgment. But the harshness of the sentence is tempered by a tender reminder: A remnant will survive, receive sanctuary in a foreign country and return to the Land of Promise.
Lord, Thank You for New Heart:
Tell the exiles, this is what the
Sovereign Lord says: Although
I’ve scattered you in the countries
of the world, I will be a Sanctuary
to you during your time in exile…
I will gather you… and give you
the land of Israel (Ezek 11:16-17).
I will give them an undivided Heart
and put a new spirit in them;
I will remove from them their
heart of stone and give them
a Heart of Flesh… Then they
will truly be my people, and
I will be their God (v19-20).
But as for those who long for idols,
I will repay them fully for their sins,
says the Sovereign Lord (v21).
Lord, thank You that You are always my Home and my refuge. Thank You for the promise of protection in Psalm 91 that: if you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you. Thank You for the promise of Your Presence & Help in Psa 139: I can never get away from Your Presence… If I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there Your hand will guide me & Your strength will support me. Amen.
Lord, fill me with Your love;
and help me to keep my heart
from wandering away from You.
Make my heart to be undivided &
take away hardheartedness in me.
I invite You to take charge of
my mind and emotions & help me
to give complete control to You.
Light a flame of desire in me
for You that never goes out. Amen.
Lord, thank you that when we become Christians, You did a miracle by making us new inside. You took out the hard cold hearts and put in new & compassionate hearts so that we are able to serve, do good and help others. Help us to have an ear for those who need counsel or a kind word. Help us to give practical helps when someone has a real need. Help us to intercede for people in trouble or needs healing. Amen.