Friday, December 11th
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of
stone and give you a heart of flesh. – Ezekiel 36:26 NIV
Yesterday, we talked about being reborn due to the resurrection and God’s Mercy on us. The Lord tells Israel in this passage of Ezekiel that He will provide them a new heart for them… one of flesh instead of stone! Have you ever had a disagreement with someone so harsh that it felt as though there were an immovable wall between you and the other person? In tense situations, the heart can become cold and hard… like a stone! Ezekiel is saying this is how God feels about Israel. They have pushed back against the Lord and lived in opposition to Him, but soon their hearts will be softened. Just as Israel had been hardened against God back then, so the hearts of all mankind are hardened against God even today. It is only by receiving the gift of rebirth through the Holy Spirit and made possible through Jesus Christ, that we begin to develop a new heart. As we celebrate the birth of Christ, let’s remember that we have been reborn because of Him. Let your heard be evermore softened day by day towards Jesus, His church, and the surrounding community that you are called to love.
Author Ian Jeffries & Tom Hartung
