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. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God. – (Ezekiel 11:19-20, NIV)
Just as God promised these things to the faithful who were in exile, His words and promises remain true for us today. If we seek the Lord and follow His ways, He will remove the things within us that are barriers to believing and becoming all that He has for us. He calls us His own, and we are reminded and reassured that God is for us and making us new in Him. May we trust in the Lord with all of our heart and follow His ways in truth. Let every heart allow God to give us an undivided heart and a new spirit that is a reflection of His love.
For this hard old heart,
Must choose seek the Lord;
In faithful pursuit,
His grace He affords.
He takes our hardness,
Replaces within;
Tender, full of love,
As new life begins.
We are His people,
And He is our God;
Hearts undivided,
As we choose respond.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we trust You and choose to faithfully follow You, You give us an undivided heart and a new spirit within. Thank You that You remove the barriers in our hearts that keep us from fully following after You. Thank You that You call us Your people, and we in turn can call You our God. Forgive us for not carefully following Your leading, or for failing to trust in You. Remove the obstacles within us that keep us from fully trusting You. Show us how to love others with an undivided heart through Your Spirit within us, so they may seek to know You for themselves. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust in You so that we may follow Your every leading as Your people, and honor You, our great and loving God. Amen.
© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present
May God Almighty grant you mercy. – Genesis 43:14
Beautifully illustrative words and stained glass, Shannon.