A Heart of Flesh



Prayer: Let the earth now praise the Lord,
             Who has truly kept His word
             And at last to us did send
             Christ, the sinner’s help and friend.



             What the fathers most desired,
             What the prophets’ heart inspired,
             What they longed for many a year,
             Stands fulfilled in glory here.




Read:  Ezekiel 36:22–29
http://www.esvbible.org/Ezekiel 36:22-29



Think about It: Despite our best efforts to stand in God’s way, His will is always accomplished. In our reading for today we find God speaking directly to His people, clarifying for them His goal for their salvation, their purity, and the protection of His holy name. He alone will accomplish this goal without our help and despite our disobedience.

     Standing on this side of Jesus’ story, we see the fulfillment of the prophecies made in Ezekiel. God indeed draws His people to Himself. He is the one who changes a heart from stone to flesh, making our love for Him possible. Ezekiel helps us understand that in every way, we are recipients only. There are no actions on our part that lead God to move or that assists in our salvation. It is all God at every level. He brings us back; He changes our hearts; He provides a Savior; and He provides for our every need. If you think that in some way you need to decide for Jesus, read the passage again. You won’t make that   decision. Nothing inside of us moves us toward Jesus. That is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. He alone can change a heart.

     Why do we talk about this at Christmas time? While we dare to look into the manger at the Son of God, we sometimes lose track of the fact that this Baby is God’s answer to all of the promises that He made in the Old Testament. This Child is proof of His action in our lives to secure our salvation and bring us back into fellowship with the God of the Universe. It is easy to get swept away with the presents, the decorations, and the parties. But the truth is far more profound and exquisitely simple: God has chosen to save us from our sins through this precious Child. We need nothing else.



Prayer: As Your coming was in peace,
            Quiet, full of gentleness,
            Let the same mind dwell in me
            Which is Yours eternally.



            Then when You will come again
            As the glorious king to reign, 
            I with joy will see Your face,
            Freely ransomed by Your grace.
Let the Earth Now Praise the Lord . . . LSB 352 Public Domain

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