Our Need: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand, heal, and transform it?” (par Jer.17:9).
God’s Provision: “I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezek. 36:26)
The Process: Abba, “give me an undivided heart, that I may live in awe of your name.” (Ps.86:11).
Heavenly Father, your provision of a new heart has never been dearer to me. You made good on that promise when you raised us from spiritual death, hid our lives in Christ, and put the new heart in us. But our new heart will only be a perfected heart the Day you call us home. Until then we will need your daily mercies, transforming grace, and the gift of Gospel-savoring friends.
I get weary of knowing you in part, loving in part, and being partly like Jesus. Thank you, a gazillion times over, for your commitment to finish your work in each of your children (Phil.1:6). We will be as much like Jesus as a justified, adopted, glorified child of yours can possibly be (1Jn.3:1-3). Whew! and Hallelujah!
Your promise of making my divided, wandering, under-believing-the-Gospel heart being 100% like Jesus keeps me going, Father. To be specific, I crave a kind heart, a tender heart, a “sweet-heart.” A heart that’s not easily offended, divided in affection, or even slightly judgmental. I long to be more restful than resentful, more compassionate than controlling, more hope-filled than trauma-triggered—more like Jesus more of the time. Until then, thank you for already loving us perfectly in Jesus, Father. So Very Amen.
