I will
give them one heart and put a new spirit within them; I will remove the heart of stone
from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, so that they may follow my statutes and
keep my ordinances and obey them. Then they shall be my people and I will be their God.
In today’s passage for meditation, which was written during
the exile in Babylon, we read about the possible reconciliation of God and man, despite
the multiple sins committed by man. The prophet is transported to the temple in Jerusalem
and given two visions. In this, the second one, God promises that the people will return
to their land once again. This time, the faithful will cleanse the land. But those who
persist in sin will be punished by their own deeds. The prophet is told to share this
prophecy with the exiles, which he does.
Now as then, God shows the way and offers reconciliation … IF the
people will denounce sin and turn to him.
The "heart of flesh" represents to me the emotions and
actions of love, concern, and caring. God wants us to leave our "hearts of
stone" – our ignorance, selfishness, and uncaring – and follow him. God
cares enough for creation to communicate with us through his word and his Son.
Our lives and world have gone through many ages and have had many
problems. That is all part of the past and cannot be changed. Tomorrow is not yet born.
Worrying about it accomplishes nothing.
That leaves us today to use our gifts and our "hearts of
flesh" so as to live in accordance with God’s will. God’s will has been
divulged to us very clearly through Jesus, the Christ, who told us to love and care for
each other and our world.
Let us use this insight in our lives, at home and work, on the road, at
leisure, and in the church, letting God’s will and love be known to all.
Our Father in heaven, we thank you for all your gifts. Help us to
gain and maintain insight into your will and to gladly follow your ways with a "heart
of flesh," full of love. We love being your people and love you as our God.
