And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my just decrees. Ezk. 36:26-27 ESV.
The nation of Israel during the prophet Ezekiel’s watch again ran into personal isolation. They would repeatedly find themselves in God’s dog house for their continual rebellion against Him. Rather than focus on Him, they continued to chase after local gods and found themselves captured by their surrounding enemies. Yet God, as usual, took the time to encourage them and foretell what He planned to do with them for His name’s sake.
Rules and laws are for those who need them. And most of us need them because we do not have a heart that looks at the big picture for the sake of others. Instead we want what we want and we want it now. Our desire and motive is primarily self-oriented. From Adam and Eve satisfying their desire without taking into consideration the whole consequence of their actions, to our craving for French fries yesterday that we didn’t need, without the heart of God leading us, we are apt to quickly satisfy our inner desires without a care for the long term effects.
Ezekiel’s prophecy was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit made His public display and recruited over 3,000 people (Acts 2). His manifestation caused a revival which led to the start of the Church and lives being changed from the inside-out. The fruit of the Spirit began to be seen in the people who surrendered to the King (Gal.5:22-24). The heart of stone was being replaced one person at a time.
Today is no different. Those who have become Christ-followers and surrendered to their King have likewise experienced life with the Spirit. Sin is no longer attractive. Instead the desire to live, play, and work from a holy seat is the joy of the Lord. No longer do we have a heart problem. Instead we have a new heart that mirrors our God (Gal.4:6). A heart centered in Jesus Christ (Eph.3:17). A pure heart that allows us to see the work of God (Matt. 5:8).
So if you are having heart problems, you have direct access to the #1 surgeon of the universe – our heavenly Father. Ask him for a new one. It’s His business. And He is very good at it.
Rooting For You in Christ!
Dr. Mike
Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Discipleship 360
Author of e-Books:
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* Unequally Married
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