Putting the Spirit Within You

A few years ago, an angry man rushed through the Rijks Museum in Amsterdam until he reached Rembrandt’s famous painting “Night watch.” Then he took out a knife and slashed it repeatedly before he could be stopped. A short time later, a distraught, hostile man slip … More

Restoration

God promised to restore Israel not only physically, but spiritually. To accomplish this, God would give them a new heart for following Him and put his spirit within them to transform them and empower them to do His will (vv. 25-30). Again the new covenant was promised, ultimately to be fulfilled in Christ. No matter how impure your life is right now, God offers you a fresh start. You can have your sins washed away, receive a new heart for God, and have His Spirit within you. Why try to patch up you old life when you can have a new one? God said His people should be ashamed of their sins (v. 32). The people had become so calloused that they had lost all sensitivity to sin. First they had to remember their sins (vv. 31-32), then be sorry for them, and finally repent.

In contrast to the desolation that characterized so much of Israel’s past history, her future in the Kingdom will have the beauty and splendor compared to the Garden of Eden (vv. 33-36). What a testimony this will be to the nations of God’s grace and power shown to Israel (vv. 33-37)! The flock of Jerusalem has reference to the sacrificial animals used. These numbered into the millions over the years. Israel’s flocks of fathers, mothers, and children will become numerous.

As we examine our lives, we may find that we too have lost our sensitivity to certain sins. But if we compare ourselves against God’s standards of right and wrong we will be ashamed. To regain sensitivity we must recognize our sin for what it is, be sorry for it, and ask God for forgiveness.

Application

I want to be sensitive to any sin that may creep into my life. I am so thankful that His mercy has been extended to include me and all I have to do is come to Him in genuine repentance.

Ezekiel 36:26-38 (English Standard Version)


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