Ezekiel 36:22-38
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. – Ezekiel 36:26
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What exactly did the Lord do? The Israelites had shed blood and defiled the promised land with idols. As a result, God poured out His wrath and disciplined them, scattering them among the nations. Because of their rebellion and unfaithfulness, God’s holy name was profaned among the Gentiles (v.20).
The focus of God’s redemptive plan is the glory of His holy name (v.22). Although Israel had caused His name to be profaned among the nations, God was not defeated. Instead, He resolved to reveal His power to the world, to show that His glory had not diminished. His name would be exalted among the nations so that all people would know He is not a powerless tribal god, but the sovereign Lord of all the earth.
Even though His people rebelled, God would restore His glory through Israel’s renewal. He told His people why He was doing this and also revealed what He would do. He would:
God repeatedly showed kindness to Israel. As a result, they were humbled by His goodness and came to “loathe themselves” (v.31) for their iniquities. To “loathe oneself” means to acknowledge their own detestable nature. To recognize that the problem lies within, that one is utterly corrupt, beyond repair, and in desperate need of God’s grace and salvation. A new heart and a new spirit enabled one to see the true condition of their heart.
Today, we too must ask God to shine His light into our hearts and help us examine ourselves honestly. Is our heart, which once recognized its brokenness and deep need for a Savior, still tender, responsive, and obedient to Him? Or have we become numb and unaware of how much our hearts may have changed or drifted from Him?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, In Your deep compassion and unfailing love, You led Israel to see the depth of their sin and to turn back to You with brokenness and repentance. You gave them a new heart and a new spirit, offering them a fresh spiritual beginning with You. Father, please help me examine my own heart today. Keep it tender, sensitive to Your voice, and ready to obey Your will. May I never grow numb to Your presence or stray from Your path. In the victorious name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Click to read
What exactly did the Lord do? The Israelites had shed blood and defiled the promised land with idols. As a result, God poured out His wrath and disciplined them, scattering them among the nations. Because of their rebellion and unfaithfulness, God’s holy name was profaned among the Gentiles (v.20).
The focus of God’s redemptive plan is the glory of His holy name (v.22). Although Israel had caused His name to be profaned among the nations, God was not defeated. Instead, He resolved to reveal His power to the world, to show that His glory had not diminished. His name would be exalted among the nations so that all people would know He is not a powerless tribal god, but the sovereign Lord of all the earth.
Even though His people rebelled, God would restore His glory through Israel’s renewal. He told His people why He was doing this and also revealed what He would do. He would:
- Show grace (v.24)
- Cleanse the people (v.25)
- Give them a new heart (v.26)
- Put His Spirit within them (v.27)
God repeatedly showed kindness to Israel. As a result, they were humbled by His goodness and came to “loathe themselves” (v.31) for their iniquities. To “loathe oneself” means to acknowledge their own detestable nature. To recognize that the problem lies within, that one is utterly corrupt, beyond repair, and in desperate need of God’s grace and salvation. A new heart and a new spirit enabled one to see the true condition of their heart.
Today, we too must ask God to shine His light into our hearts and help us examine ourselves honestly. Is our heart, which once recognized its brokenness and deep need for a Savior, still tender, responsive, and obedient to Him? Or have we become numb and unaware of how much our hearts may have changed or drifted from Him?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, In Your deep compassion and unfailing love, You led Israel to see the depth of their sin and to turn back to You with brokenness and repentance. You gave them a new heart and a new spirit, offering them a fresh spiritual beginning with You. Father, please help me examine my own heart today. Keep it tender, sensitive to Your voice, and ready to obey Your will. May I never grow numb to Your presence or stray from Your path. In the victorious name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.