Monday, 18 March 2019

Heart Surgery - Lent 11

Image result for Ezekiel 11:19
We needed to visit the new Christiaan Barnard hospital the other day and it is such a lovely modern hospital. As you walk through the passages and go to the various wards you notice a number of interesting displays, photos and paintings, all remembering the first heart transplant done by Chris Barnard in 1967. 

As we read Ezekiel 11 today, we find ourselves coming across this lovely promise from the Lord. He offers the sinful Israelites a chance at redemption and a new beginning. The graphic image of 'removing our hearts of stone' and placing a new heart within us, is such a wonderful gift. May these words inspire and challenge us today.
 
19 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. 20 Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God. 21 But as for those whose hearts are devoted to their vile images and detestable idols, I will bring down on their own heads what they have done, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

Ezekiel gives us this wonderful chance to receive this gift from the Lord, but also adds in the strong challenge in verse 21, which sadly needs to be in his message as some people are just simply 'hard of hearing'.  

Are you needing a new heart today? Is your Lent journey allowing you to replace your heart of stone, with a heart of flesh?

Living in Grace
D3LM3

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