God spoke to the mountains of Israel, for the people were away in exile. They had failed to be a holy nation, and he had punished them. They were scattered among the nations of the world, but they did not serve him as a kingdom of priests, a missionary people. Rather, they profaned the name of God wherever they went. God would bring them home for the sake of his holy name, for they were a bad influence.

God promised to give his people a new heart so that they could be his holy people and a kingdom of priests--and be blessed. It was not because of anything they had done, but only because of what God had done. He would restore them so that they would taste his mercy and love and come back to him. Then, they would hate their past sins and wickedness which brought about their disaster. He would give them a new Spirit to keep his laws carefully and bring glory to his name. Jesus came to fulfill this promise to restore us as God’s chosen people, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.
Application: Lord, take away my heart of stone and give me a heart of flesh, a heart to love you and your people.
One Word: A heart to love and praise God