This chapter this chapter prophesies about the holistic restoration of Israel (the people, the land, the animals, everything). At the moment the people are still exiled and the land is desolate.
” ‘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. 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. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.’ ” (v25-28)
What a beautiful promise to God’s people, both then and now. God still promises to cleanse us of our uncleanness (sin), renew our hearts, and bless us with His Holy Spirit. The Spirit continues this cleansing and refining work within us every day, and helps us to obey the Lord, just as Jesus modeled for us.
No matter how many self-help books we read, no matter how much money we spend / donate, and no matter how much time / energy we give to the downtrodden, we can not cleanse ourselves of sin or earn our eternal life. Salvation and cleansing are only available as a free gift through the power of Jesus’ blood.
If you do not yet know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, have become more distant from Him than you’d like, or even just want to make a daily recommitment to Him, I encourage us to say this prayer together (say it out loud if you’d like).
Father God, our Creator and Provider, thank you for blessing us with Your Son Jesus. Jesus, thank you for the example of Your life, and Your loving sacrifice. Holy Spirit, please continue Your renewing and cleansing works within our hearts. Father thank you for the free gift of eternal life made possible through Your grace and mercy, and thank you for testifying through us to reach our neighbors for their salvation. May we honor, glorify, obey, and serve You today, and all of our remaining days. Amen.
~ Conqueror in Training