Made for More: 30 Days of Experiencing More Life, Love, and FreedomSample

Day 7: Guard Your Heart

Have you noticed how passionate, even intimate, the language of God is throughout the Bible—especially through the prophets? At times, it reads like the voice of a jealous lover, crying out to a wandering spouse. God compares Israel, His covenant people, to harlots, wild camels in heat, and unfaithful lovers. Why? Because they had taken their hearts—hearts meant for Him—and given them to idols. Their worship, their affection, their attention... had gone elsewhere.

And yet, even in betrayal, God’s love remains unshaken. The covenant still stands. It’s like a marriage He refuses to abandon. In Jeremiah and Ezekiel, we see the deep grief of God—and the relentless grace of God—as He works to win His people’s hearts back.

In Jeremiah 29:11–14, God speaks to His people in exile, people who had forgotten Him, betrayed Him, and wandered far:

For I know the plans I have for you... plans to give you a hope and a future.
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you.

The exile wasn’t just punishment. It was pursuit. It was a holy invitation to return.

Later, in Jeremiah 31:33, the promise becomes even more beautiful:

“I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

This is a stunning shift—from stone tablets to soft hearts. No longer would God’s commands be external rules. They would become internal realities, written on the hearts of His people.

And then Ezekiel echoes this same promise—but takes it even further. In Ezekiel 11:18–19, God declares:

“They will return... and remove all vile images and detestable idols.
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.”

That’s the gospel promise: not just a second chance—but a transformed heart.

When we come to Jesus in faith, God doesn’t ask us to fix ourselves first. He gives us the one thing we need most: a new heart. A heart that is soft, responsive, and alive to Him.

Why?

Because we need the right equipment to love—and to be loved.

The old, stone heart can’t receive grace. It can’t offer real love. It can’t trust. But the new heart? The heart of flesh? That’s the heart God gives us—a heart that can beat again with faith, desire, and intimacy.

This is very, very good news. A heart that can be loved again!

God’s not just after obedience—He’s after your affection. He wants your heart because He made your heart. And He’s willing to fight for it. He’s already made a way to transform it.

So, even though we’ve all been hurt, wounded, and left feeling hollow inside, carrying a heart that has been trained to be cold, guarded, even numb—there’s hope.

God can make it soft again.
He can write love where fear was imposed.
He can restore what shame made us feel lost.

All He asks is that we seek Him… with all our heart.

And when we do? He promises in our seeking: “I will find you.”

As you reflect on all this with God today, consider asking Him:

Father, what does having a good heart mean for our relationship? How have I viewed my heart? Precious or wicked? And how has my view impacted how I relate to you, able to come near, or need to keep a safe distance?

Holy Spirit what do you want to show me about my heart and what are you inviting me to see about yours?

Father, is there one phrase or sentence that feels like it’s just for me today? Would You help me hear it clearly and understand why it matters?