"And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart
and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD
your God with all your heart . . ."
Deuteronomy 30:6
A woman had a wayward, rebellious son. He had served time in prison. Now he is out of jail, but he still lives a lifestyle that leads to more trouble. She said to a friend, "I'm praying that God will change his heart. That's my only hope. Nothing else has worked. I can't change him, but I know God can."
None of us can change our lives until God changes our hearts. It's a work of God's grace within us. When our hearts are changed, there are undeniable changes in our lifestyle. We have a personal relationship with God as LORD of our lives. We love God, and we experience His love for us.
Someone may ask, "How does God change our hearts?" The Bible describes it as God circumcising our hearts. In the Old Testament, circumcision was a sign of entering into a covenant relationship with God. It was performed by man in the flesh. In Deuteronomy 30:6, God describes a work that no man can do for us. Only God can circumcise our hearts. It is not man's work, but it is completely God's work of grace. That is to say, He does in us what we could never do for ourselves. God changes our hearts.
Prayer: Change my heart, O God, that I may know You and love You with all my heart, through Jesus Christ our LORD. Amen.
