Problem Solved

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 36

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. (Ezekiel 36.26-27)

Devotional Thought: During a time when the Israelites were captive in Babylon, Ezekiel prophesied that God would "do more good to you than ever before" (v. 11).  Though God had dispersed his people among the nations in judgment, he declared that he would once again act on Israel’s behalf - not because they deserved mercy, but rather out of concern for his holy name.

And what would God do?

·       Cleanse them of their unrighteousness, uncleanness, and idolatry.  He would give them new hearts and put in them new spirits, not only to deliver his people from uncleanness, but also to glorify his own name among the nations.  Just as in the time of delivery from the Egyptians centuries before, the surrounding nations would see the work of the Lord and would know "that I am the Lord" (v. 36).

·       Empower them to walk in his ways.  The Israelites were chosen to be a light to the surrounding nations, to be the priests of God that would reflect his goodness and character.  They had failed miserably.  But God had a solution then, and he has a solution now: the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The indwelling Spirit helps us to walk in the ways of the Lord as he sanctifies us and fills us with love.  The purpose of this transformative work of the Spirit is the same as in the days of Ezekiel:  to magnify and glorify God, that we may declare the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light!

Jenny Wade

Prayer: Lord, I have a heart problem.  I need your solution.  Remove from me this cold dead heart and give me a new heart of flesh and life.  Put your Spirit in me and empower me to walk in your ways to the honor of your name.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 48.1-8

1 Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain,

2 beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King.

3 Within her citadels God has made himself known as a fortress.

4 For behold, the kings assembled; they came on together.

5 As soon as they saw it, they were astounded; they were in panic; they took to flight.

6 Trembling took hold of them there, anguish as of a woman in labor.

7 By the east wind you shattered the ships of Tarshish.

8 As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God, which God will establish forever. Selah