The word of the LORD came to me again: “Son of man, your own relatives, those who have the right to redeem your property, along with the entire house of Israel—all of them—are those to whom the residents of Jerusalem have said, ‘You are far from the LORD; this land has been given to us as a possession.’
“Therefore say, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: Though I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.’
“Therefore say, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.’
“When they arrive there, they will remove all its abhorrent acts and detestable practices from it. I will give them integrity of heart and put a new spirit within them; I will remove their heart of stone from their bodies and give them a heart of flesh, so that they will follow my statutes, keep my ordinances, and practice them. They will be my people, and I will be their God. But as for those whose hearts pursue their desire for abhorrent acts and detestable practices, I will bring their conduct down on their own heads.” This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.
Click here to listen to the Scripture in ESV.
God promises to remove the heart of stone and give a heart of flesh. Where do you see a hard, stubborn, or divided heart in yourself that you need to confess today?
What cherished sin, idol, or pattern of disobedience are you still holding onto instead of walking fully in God’s ways?
Read this blog on confession and accountability partners, written by Heather Peters - Director of Communications - Multisite Office.
After reading the blog, identify one trusted brother or sister in Christ you can practice James 5:16 with: “confess your sins to one another and pray for one another.” Share one specific sin pattern with that person this week, not just a struggle in general terms.
Pray for humility to recover the practice of confession, both before God and with trusted believers. Ask God to free you from pride, fear, and image management.
If you are also following the BibleProject’s One Story That Leads to Jesus reading plan, complete today’s reading.