Today’s Reading, Ezekiel 34-36
Focal Scripture: Ezekiel 36:26-27 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will place my Spirit within you and cause you to follow my statutes and carefully observe my ordinances.”
Being changed is a great experience. It means something was one way now it is another. It may look the same on the surface but deep down something new has taken place. We all experience cha get in our lives but the greatest change is going from death to life and having a heart of stone turned into a heart of flesh. Not only do you know it happened but those around you know it as well.
This is where the reading has us today. The nation of Israel has had lots of bad news. Now God tells them his plans. He lets them know that everything is going to change. They will turn from their idols. They will be made clean. God will change their hearts and make them soft. They will be dwelled by his spirit and desire to follow the Lord and his statutes. They go from idol worship to true worship. And the work was not done by them but by God. He works in them despite their hearts. He demonstrates his graciousness.
The takeaway for believers from this reading comes down to the fact that God is the one who saves. God is the one who cha he’s hearts. God writes his law in the people and the spirit desires to follow it. This was true in the Old Testament and it is true today. God is in the life and heart changing business. What he has done with Israel he will do with you! One day this will be seen on a large scale. God is the author of salvation and redemption.
I want this to encourage you. To many people think salvation is dependent upon them. They think they have to earn it and they believe they have to keep God’s forgiveness. However, the Bible teaches differently. Faith comes from God (Eph 2), salvation is God’s plan (Romans), and he is the one who keeps us (John 10).
Stand firm in God and his word and know that he changes hearts. He changed mine and is doing so daily. He will change yours, and he wants to see everyone come to faith.
Turn in your heart of stone for a heart of flesh.
Tomorrow I plan on reading 37-39
