March 13 | Bible in a Year: Deuteronomy 20-22; Mark 13:21-37

A New Heart in Christ

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

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” (see Ezekiel 11:19). 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” (v. 19). With changed hearts, they would follow their God faithfully (v. 20).

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.

By Amy Boucher Pye

REFLECT & PRAY

How have you experienced God melting any stubbornness or coldness within? How can you pray for a friend today?

Loving God, thank You for releasing me from my sin and shame.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

Just prior to today’s reading from Ezekiel 11, the prophet Ezekiel saw a vision of God’s glory. He looked on the throne of God in the holy of holies (10:1) and saw “the glory of the Lord” rise and move (v. 4). We see the movement of God’s glory from His inner sanctuary in the temple to its threshold and then from the threshold out into the city (vv. 4, 18 ). Finally, the glory of God left the city by the eastern gate (v. 19).

Ezekiel’s vision shows something the exiled Israelites may not have at first realized: their God went with them. He followed on the same road they traveled, which is why Ezekiel says, “I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone” (11:16).

Jed Ostoich

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