The Daily Audio Bible reading today included this passage from Ezekiel 11:19-20:

“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 tender hearts. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.”

Love is about making and keeping promises. God’s commitment, this covenant promise, is a dominant theme repeated throughout scripture. [See Exodus 6:7, Leviticus 26:12, Jeremiah 11:4, Ez 14:11, Hosea 1:9, Zechariah 8:8, Hebrews 8:10, Revelation 21:3]

God’s dream is to love and be loved.

“They will be my people, and I will be their God.”

In verse 19 He spells out what it means to be His people.

First, receive His gift of a healed heart. Then, receive His gift of a new spirit within.

This is not some religious obligation we have to fulfill. God takes the initiative. Father, Son and Holy Spirit do all the hard, nay, impossible work.

Only God can heal our wounded and fractured hearts. Jesus paid it all. His love and power transforms a cold, hard heart of stone into a heart of tenderness.

With a new heart and a new spirit, then we have the resources to live God’s way.

Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

God’s decrees and laws are for our ultimate good and benefit.

We will never live God’s way fully or perfectly. But if we’re headed in that direction, to be His people, then God is delighted.

He finds value in even the weakest expression of love.

Amazing. Good. News.

About These #SUNRISE #WORSHIP DEVOTIONALS: A daily “worship ritual” I practice is to listen to The Daily Audio Bible podcast, take a photo of the morning sky, find a meaningful scripture or quote (usually from the DAB), and share it on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter. Please comment and share! The Lord bless you.

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