Jan 28 – A New Heart!

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26)

The Bible speaks of a new heart. We sing of “the Bridegroom of the New Jerusalem.” We speak of “new wine.” When the Lord makes all things new, He gives us a new heart as well. To live filled with the joy of salvation and to grow in a renewed relationship with God, we need this new heart.

When God looks at a person, He looks at the heart. “For man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7). If the Lord finds in our heart a mind filled with iniquity, He will not answer our prayers—not even for a single day.

So, to receive a new heart, cast away the old one. Remove the garments stained by the flesh. Throw away the filthy rags of self-righteousness. Enter this new year with renewed thoughts, saying, “Lord, make everything new!”

In the Old Testament, we read about King Asa in 2 Chronicles. He desired to cleanse and purify his entire kingdom. Therefore he removed the altars of foreign gods, tore down the high places, broke the images, cut down the sacred groves, and commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers and to do according to the law and the commandments (2 Chronicles 14:3–4). He not only purified the land of Israel, but removed their abominations and renewed the altar of the Lord before the temple, after conquering cities in battle (2 Chronicles 15:8).

If God is to renew everything in our lives and lead us into a new and glorious path, we must also walk in obedience. Whatever needs to be removed from our lives must be removed with firm determination and steadfastness.

Only when we cast away the old sinful ways, worldly friendships, and anything displeasing to God can the Lord step into our lives and make all things new. It is not enough to discard the old—we must also enter into a new union with Christ, and a new beginning.

Children of God, your heart must be filled with the new seeds of God’s Word.

Verse for further meditation: “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.” (1 Peter 2:3)