Walk the ancient paths
where so many righteous people have trod.
Listen to their footsteps
for they have sought the face of God.
And prevailed!
Ezekiel 11:19-20 ~ And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them. Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God.PRAYER FROM PSALMS
It is promised, that God will give them one heart; a heart firmly fixed for God, and not wavering. All who are made holy have a new spirit, a new temper and dispositions; they act from new principles, walk by new rules, and aim at new ends. A new name, or a new face, will not serve without a new spirit. If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. The carnal heart, like a stone, cannot be made to feel. Men live among the dead and dying, and are neither concerned nor humbled. He will make their hearts tender and fit to receive impressions: this is God's work, it is his gift by promise; and a wonderful and happy change is wrought by it, from death to life. Their practices shall be agreeable to those principles. These two must and will go together. When the sinner feels his need of these blessings, let him present the promises as prayers in the name of Christ, they will be performed.
So sorry. Not sure why this did not post. It said it was done on Saturday. I had some internet issues in Des Moines where we were. Thought it went through. Thinking about you all tonight. I'm still in Kansas City with my daughter---it's her 30th birthday.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite promises of restoration in the whole Bible. A new heart, and to belong safely and wholly to God. His Holy Spirit does that for us, as we turn our faces toward Him. We long for Him, but we rarely picture God longing for us, too. Phrases in Scripture like "Then they will know that I am their God" and the verse, "Then they will be My people and I will be their God" show His heart toward us.
ReplyDeleteIsaiah 30:18 "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!"