Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 15, 2025

“I will remove the heart of stone” – “As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 34:22-33.  Here is the link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%2034&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Then the king sent and gathered all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.  The king went up to the house of the LORD and all the men of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests, the Levites and all the people, from the greatest to the least;  and he read in their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the LORD.

Then the king stood in his place and made a covenant before the LORD to walk after the LORD, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes with all his heart and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant written in this book.  Moreover, he made all who were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand with him.  So the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers.  Josiah removed all the abominations from all the lands belonging to the sons of Israel, and made all who were present in Israel to serve the LORD their God.  Throughout his lifetime they did not turn from following the LORD God of their fathers.”  2 Chronicles 34:29-33.  

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Josiah’s removal of all of the abominations leads us to meditate on the LORD’s removal of our heart of stone and His other awesome work for us.

“Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you;  and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”  Ezekiel 34:26-27. 

And, it reminds us of the LORD’S removal of our sins.

“11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

13 Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.” Psalm 103:11-13.

“For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done,
I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.” Psalm 92:4.

“Praise the LORD!
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart,
In the company of the upright and in the assembly.
2 Great are the works of the LORD;
They are studied by all who delight in them.
3 Splendid and majestic is His work,
And His righteousness endures forever.” Psalm 111:1-3.


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