Daily Devotion - Ezekiel 36:25-27 - A Clean heart
God comes to us as believers and gently asks us to make room in our hearts for more of who He is.
Spring cleaning is the worst.
You know, that time of year when we emerge from our three-month, wintry cocoons and realize that the dust and germs have to leave. The warmer temperatures allow us to open up the windows and let a little sunshine and fresh air into our stuffy living rooms as we vanquish our bacterial houseguests. But while it is always necessary, it isn't always fun.
Furniture is moved to reveal piles we didn't know existed. There's a sock next to that cup, and look, there's the remote! Dust has collected in every nook and cranny, and do we really have to wipe down the display teapots up on the high shelf? Spring cleaning may not be enjoyable, but it is important for our overall physical, mental and emotional health.
During the week leading up to Passover, the Jews practice a ceremonial cleaning in order to find all of the leavening and yeast in the house. They thoroughly cleanse the house of it, remembering the first Passover when they left Egypt in a hurry, not taking the time to use yeast in their breads. While this is largely symbolic, it points to a much bigger issue.
We have hearts full of sin.
[Jeremiah 17:9 ESV] 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
Scripture states plainly that our hearts are completely sinful and need a complete renewal if we are to live a life in step with God's Spirit. Only Christ makes that renewal possible but, like spring cleaning, it isn't always easy.
Maybe there's a little hate in that corner over there, or some anger issues that you've tucked away in the closet. And is that gossip whispering under the bed?
[Ezekiel 36:25-27 ESV] 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
God comes to us as believers and gently asks us to make room in our hearts for more of who He is. He desires to work in us, removing the things that keep us entangled with this world and cleansing us with His presence so that we can be spiritually healthy and more effective when we point others to Him.
Question to Consider
In what areas of your spiritual life do you need to "clean house"?
Prayer for Today
Lord Jesus, as I meditate on Your Word in Your presence, I realize that I have things I've never surrendered, places in my heart that I have never allowed You to go. I have held back the parts of me that I treasure but that keep me enslaved to this world. Help me now to hand them over to You so that I can be free to pursue You more deeply. Amen.
