A New Heart in Christ

I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 11 verse 19.

Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. A New Heart in Christ was written and read by Amy Boucher-Pye. Ezekiel chapter 11 verses 14 through 21. The Lord says, They will return to it and remove all its vile images and detestable idols. I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them. I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people and I will be their God.

But as for those whose hearts are devoted to their vile images and detestable idols, I will bring down on their own heads what they have done, declares the Sovereign Lord. A New Heart in Christ Brock and Dennis were childhood friends, but as they grew up, Brock showed little interest in Dennis' faith in Jesus. Dennis loved his friend and prayed for him because he knew the path he was going down was dark and depressing. In praying for Brock, Dennis adapted the words of the prophet Ezekiel, Please God, remove from Brock a heart of stone and give him a heart of flesh. He longed that Brock would walk in God's way so he would flourish. Ten years later, Dennis was still praying faithfully. Then he received a call from Brock, I just gave my life to Jesus. Dennis rejoiced, tears brimming, to hear his friend exclaim that he'd finally come to the end of himself and trusted God with his life.

In his prayers, Dennis focused on God's promises to his people through Ezekiel. Although they'd turned from God with detestable practices, he said he would change their hearts. I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them. I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.

With changed hearts, they would follow their God faithfully. No matter how far we've turned from God, he delights to give us warm and loving hearts. We need only to turn to him with faith and repentance as we trust in Jesus to save us from our sins. Let's pray together.

Loving God, we might be calling to mind somebody who seems far from you. We entrust that person to you even now, asking you to shower them with your love and your care and your affirmation. We thank you for the great gift of releasing us from our sin and our shame. We will ever be grateful to you for this gift of love, forgiveness, and freedom. We pray in the holy name of Jesus. Amen. As you go about your day, reflect on these questions. How have you experienced God melting any stubbornness or coldness within? How can you pray for a friend today?