I Need a New Heart!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Many centuries ago, God’s people had turned away from him. They began to go their own way, worshiping other gods, abusing the poor, and generally rejecting God’s path for them. Finally, God allowed them to go their own way. He allowed their enemies to conquer them and, as was the custom then, to carry them off as slaves. Yet, even as God let them experience the consequences of their actions, he still loved them deeply and longed for their return. In the midst of their captivity, he sent this tender message by one of the prophets, a man named Ezekiel.
(Ezekiel 11.17-20, New Living Translation of the Bible)I, the Sovereign Lord, will gather you back from the nations where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel once again.
When the people return to their homeland, they will remove every trace of their vile images and detestable idols. And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, so they will obey my decrees and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God.
Part of the mission of Jesus was to take those hearts of stone and replace them with hearts of flesh, and this is still his mission in our lives today.
I can relate to those people. I need a new heart. It seems that I’m constantly wrestling with my stony, stubborn heart. Sometimes I feel like God has called me to do things too big for me - things I just don’t want to do. I’d rather sit at home. I’d rather withdraw into myself and my own space. I’ve got my own problems, I don’t need to tack on anyone else’s!
I wonder if Jesus ever felt that way? Jesus exemplifies the life of service. A tender heart. Responsive to God’s call and to the needs of those around him. Giving up his own rights and desires to carry out the mission set before him.
God, please take my stony, stubborn heart away and give me a heart like his.
Peace,
Matt