In Ezekiel 11:19 (CEV) God says:
“I will give them a new heart and a new spirit. I will take away their stubborn hearts of stone and give them obedient hearts.”
Life can shape people, but sometimes it can also harden them. Disappointments, injustice, and worries can cause you to close yourself off. This often happens quietly, in daily life, in relationships, at work, and also in faith communities. That is why it is encouraging to pause and reflect on a promise that speaks about renewal from within.
These words show that God does not begin with rules or behavior, but with the human heart.
Historical background
This promise was spoken to the people of Israël while they were living in exile. They had lost their land, their temple, and their sense of security. Many had become discouraged and felt abandoned. God acknowledges their situation, but He does not stop there. He promises restoration—not only from the outside, but especially from the inside. A new heart means being able to trust again, to hope again, and to live again.
Examples from the church and society
In the church, we see people who have been hurt by experiences and have withdrawn. Yet something can change when there is room for honesty, forgiveness, and new steps.
In society, we notice how hardness and polarization are increasing. Opponents sometimes say that people no longer change. This promise shows something different: real change is possible when the heart is renewed.
Take this with you
- God sees what is happening on the inside
- Renewal may grow step by step
- You do not have to remain who you once were
- Gentleness is not weakness
Final thought
A new heart does not mean that everything is immediately right, but it does mean that there is room for life.