Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 The Restoration of Israel

Ezekiel 36: 24 – 30

A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. V:26

This brief passage from the second half of the book looks like God’s loving
restoration of Israel. Read in isolation from the rest of the book, the text depicts God’s personal care in returning the exiles and settling them again back in their ancestral territory. God even makes sure that they have a heart for goodness.

A New life for Cleansed people (V: 25)
"Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols" (v. 25). The sprinkling of clean water symbolized cleansing from sin. In the Old Testament sprinkling and washing with water pictured cleansing from ceremonial defilement. God will purify Israel from her sins and God will impart new life.

A New heart and New Spirit (V: 26- 27)
A "new heart" and "new spirit" is the promise of spiritual regeneration.  "Moreover, A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and make you follow My statutes, and be careful to observe My ordinances" (V. 26-27). Only the Holy Spirit can empower man to fulfill the word of God. There are twenty-five references to the Holy Spirit in the book of Ezekiel. A new heart and a new spirit are themes Ezekiel reflects on several times.

A sovereign holy God reached down to Israel in His amazing grace to save and restore. God chose to save for Himself a holy people. He did this out of grace and mercy. We have been redeemed by the shed blood of the Lamb of God.

In these days of Lent let us surrender ourselves into the hands of God and His grace is sufficient to forgive our sins. Our Lord is more than enough to give us new life, a new heart and a new spirit.

Have you personally experienced this "new heart" and a "new spirit"? Jesus Christ came to give you eternal life. Here is A Free Gift for You. All you have to do is receive it.

Prayer
Lord, I thank you for all you’ve done for me. I pray that you would change me, O God. Please guide my heart, and help me to grow into the person you want me to be. Please purify my heart and make me more like you. In Jesus name. Amen
 

Thought for the Day
Let the spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
 

Mereen Grace George
W/o Rev. Thomas Mathew
St. Louis Missouri and Kansas MTC


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