Read: Ezekiel 26: 36-37

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. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

Reflect

When was the last time you felt some distance in your relationship with God?

As I read Ezekiel 26: 36-37 I was reminded of God’s greatest blessing to each of us as He has provided the gift of forgiveness

The heart is critical throughout Scripture. The heart is God’s picture of something much deeper than an intellectual acknowledgment of God’s love for us.

A heart of stone is dead. There is no life in it, but a heart of flesh is alive and bringing life to the body. An unbelieving person is also dying, but when the cold stony heart is exchanged for the new heart and a new spirit then there is eternal life.

In this passage, God promises a new spirit in you and later that He will place His Spirit in you.

Respond:

These two verses communicate the best God has for us. Too often I have hardened my heart for one reason or another, but God has consistently used music to speak to me. Keith Green’s “Rushing Wind” is one song I’ve often placed on repeat.

Rushing wind blow through this temple,
Blowing out the dust within,
Come and breathe your breath upon me,
I’ve been born again.

Holy Spirit, I surrender, take me where you want to go,
Plant me by your living water,
Plant me deep so I can grow.

Separate me from this world Lord.
Sanctify my life for you.
Daily change me to your image,
Help me bear good fruit.

Every day you’re drawing closer.
Trials come to test my faith.
But when all is said and done Lord,
You know, it was worth the wait.

Jesus, you’re the one, who set my spirit free,
Use me Lord, glorify, your Holy Name through me.