Day 84
Ezekiel 12: 19, 20 NIV
"I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God."
The passage above reveals what God had to say about people who had a desire to do what was right. God does not give undivided hearts, new spirits or hearts of flesh to persons who do not want them. On the other hand, isn't it wonderful to know that He is a heart fixer for those who want their heart fixed?
This is one of the most important things for a person to know, whose heart is toward God. Sinners have sometimes hesitated to become Christians, because they are sincere and they fear not being able to live right. Backsliders have hesitated to return to God for the same reason. Christians struggle with their flesh and work in their natural strength, frustrating themselves, trying to achieve spiritual goals. Although there is a part for us to play, it is most valuable to know what God is willing and able to do.
Again, God promises to enable those who already want to serve Him. In other words, if we have a genuine desire, He is willing to supply the power to fulfill that desire. We must not be defeated in our minds and allow discouragement to set in because of seemingly insurmountable struggles against our flesh. Burdensome struggles over our flesh should be presented to God. It is amazing what He can and will do if we are truly sincere. Sometimes when we see that the Word already tells us what we must do, we feel like there is no use going to God about it. However, we miss it when we think we are left to ourselves to even do the Word alone. We must do the Word, but the Holy Spirit will help us.
Cry out for help and use the most powerful tool God has given you - the confession toward faith, which results in the confession of faith. Declare that what you have committed to God is being accomplished. Declare it consistently out of respect to God, because you count Him faithful and trustworthy. This is your confession toward faith. After doing this continually, you will arrive at your confession of faith, which will be a declaration coming out of your heart. You will have a knowing that it is done, even though you have not seen it as yet. This "knowing" is strong and explainable.
We are saved by faith. We express our desire to God, accept His faithfulness and trustworthiness and confess by faith that it is done. He gives us a heart to fulfill our confession. The new heart makes such a difference in our ability to do right. That same process is what we live by. The just are saved by faith, and the just shall live by faith.
I expect to progress continually in my spiritual life. God will help me. I will ask for His help. I will confess that it is so until I see it manifested.