Written by John Sernaque
Call to Worship
Ezekiel 36:26
36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
SC - Steps to Christ (1892) Chapter 6—Faith and Acceptance
You feel that sin has separated you from God, that you are in bondage to the power of evil. The more you struggle to escape, the more you realize your helplessness. Your motives are impure; your heart is unclean. You see that your life has been filled with selfishness and sin. You long to be forgiven, to be cleansed, to be set free. Harmony with God, likeness to Him—what can you do to obtain it? It is peace that you need—Heaven’s forgiveness and peace and love in the soul. Money cannot buy it, intellect cannot procure it, wisdom cannot attain to it; you can never hope, by your own efforts, to secure it. But God offers it to you as a gift, “without money and without price.” Isaiah 55:1. It is yours if you will but reach out your hand and grasp it. {SC 49.1}
One of David’s most earnest prayers was “Create in me a clean heart, O God”. God’s response was “A new heart will I give you”. Who else can do that but our Almighty Father? God’s promises are sure. God’s promises cannot fail. But our hearts are unclean. What can we do, what do we need? It is peace that we need—Heaven’s forgiveness and peace and love in the soul. This is a gift from God and all we must do is ask for it. So, by the grace of heaven, we can all receive a new heart. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33
Our Father, God Almighty,
We thank You once again for giving us this honor and privilege of being able to come to the foot of Your throne to thank You and praise You for all You have done for us and continue to do for us. We realize that we are helpless as sinners and cannot overcome by our own efforts. Our prayer is that of David’s, create in us a clean heart, and by Your grace, that You forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Let nothing come between us, help us all put away any known sin and set us free. We pray that you bless us with Your message from on High. Bless our worship and help us keep Your Sabbath more fully. We thank You for giving us the victory over sin through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. All these things we ask and pray, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
